Fast Growing Big Trees – Your Complete Guide To Quick Shade And

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the majestic presence of a large tree in your yard, providing shade, privacy, and a home for birds. But the thought of waiting decades for a tiny sapling to mature can feel daunting, can’t it?

What if I told you that you could have that beautiful, shady canopy and a stunning landscape feature much sooner than you think? It’s absolutely possible with the right selection of fast growing big trees.

Welcome, fellow garden lover! This comprehensive guide is your key to transforming your yard in record time. We’ll walk through everything from the incredible benefits these trees offer to choosing the perfect species for your space. We’ll also cover a step-by-step planting process and the essential care tips to ensure your tree not only grows quickly but also grows strong and healthy for years to come.

Let’s dig in and get you on the fast track to a gorgeous, mature garden!

Why Choose Fast Growing Big Trees? Unpacking the Benefits

Patience is a virtue in gardening, but sometimes you need results a bit quicker. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home with a bare yard or want to create a natural privacy screen, speed is a huge advantage. Here are some of the most compelling benefits of fast growing big trees.

  • Quick Shade & Energy Savings: This is the number one reason many of us plant them! A rapidly growing tree can provide a cooling canopy over your home, patio, or deck in just a few years. This natural air conditioning can significantly reduce your summer cooling bills—a fantastic eco-friendly perk.
  • Fast Privacy: Need to screen out a neighbor’s window or a busy street? Fast-growing evergreens or densely branching deciduous trees can create a living wall of green much faster than a traditional hedge.
  • Increased Property Value: It’s true! A mature, healthy landscape is a major selling point. By getting a head start with fast-growing species, you’re making a long-term investment in your home’s curb appeal and value.
  • Habitat Creation: A big tree quickly becomes a bustling ecosystem. It offers shelter and food for birds, squirrels, and beneficial insects, turning your yard into a more vibrant and ecologically balanced space.
  • Instant Impact: A young, fast-growing tree can quickly become a stunning focal point in your landscape design, adding vertical interest and a sense of establishment to a new garden.

Our Top Picks: The Best Fast Growing Big Trees for Your Garden

Choosing the right tree is the most important step. You need to consider your climate (USDA Hardiness Zone), soil type, and the mature size of the tree. Remember, “right tree, right place” is the golden rule of gardening! Here are a few of our tried-and-true favorites.

The Mighty Hybrid Poplar (Populus deltoides x Populus nigra)

When it comes to sheer speed, it’s hard to beat the Hybrid Poplar. This tree is a true sprinter, often growing 5 to 8 feet per year! It’s an excellent choice for creating a quick windbreak or a privacy screen along a property line.

Pro Tip: Because of its rapid growth, its wood can be brittle. It’s best planted away from homes or structures where falling limbs could be a hazard.

The Elegant Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

Is there any tree more graceful than a Weeping Willow? With its cascading branches that dance in the breeze, it’s a showstopper. It loves moist soil, making it perfect for planting near a pond or in a low-lying area of your yard. Expect it to grow 3 to 8 feet per year.

The Sturdy Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

If you want speed combined with strength and longevity, the Northern Red Oak is a fantastic choice. While not as fast as a Poplar, it’s still a quick grower for an oak tree, adding about 2 feet per year. It develops into a magnificent, strong-wooded shade tree with brilliant red fall color.

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The Fast-Screening Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’)

For evergreen privacy, the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae is a champion. This dense, conical evergreen can shoot up 3 to 5 feet per year, quickly forming a lush, green wall that’s deer-resistant and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Don’t worry—these are perfect for beginners!

How to Plant for Success: A Step-by-Step Planting Guide

You’ve picked your tree—hooray! Now, let’s get it in the ground properly. A great start in life is one of the most important fast growing big trees tips I can share. Giving your tree the best possible beginning sets it up for vigorous, healthy growth.

  1. Dig the Right Hole: This is where many gardeners go wrong! Dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the tree’s root ball, but no deeper. The top of the root ball should sit slightly above the surrounding ground level to allow for settling.
  2. Prepare the Tree: Carefully remove the tree from its container. Gently loosen any circling roots at the bottom and sides of the root ball. If it’s wrapped in burlap, remove any wires or twine and either pull the burlap back or remove it entirely once the tree is in the hole.
  3. Position and Backfill: Place the tree in the center of the hole. Make sure it’s standing straight—have a friend look at it from a distance. Begin backfilling the hole with the original soil you removed. Don’t add a ton of amendments right into the planting hole; you want the roots to grow out into the native soil.
  4. Water Thoroughly: Once the hole is filled, create a small soil berm or “moat” around the edge of the planting hole. Fill this moat with water, let it soak in, and then fill it again. This deep watering helps settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
  5. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or shredded bark) over the planting area, but be sure to keep it a few inches away from the tree’s trunk. Mulch is a new tree’s best friend—it conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature.

The Secret to Rapid Growth: Your Fast Growing Big Trees Care Guide

Planting is just the beginning. To truly understand how to fast growing big trees, you need to provide consistent care, especially during the first few years as they get established. This is one of the most crucial fast growing big trees best practices.

Watering Your Young Tree

Consistent moisture is the fuel for rapid growth. For the first year or two after planting, your tree needs deep, regular watering. A good rule of thumb is to provide about 10 gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter, once or twice a week during the growing season, especially in hot, dry weather. Slow, deep watering is always better than a quick sprinkle.

Fertilizing for Optimal Growth

While not always necessary, a little boost can help. The best approach is to use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring, just as new growth begins. Follow the package directions carefully—more is not better and can harm the tree. Composted manure spread over the root zone is also a wonderful, natural option.

Pruning for Strength, Not Just Shape

This is a critical, often overlooked step. Fast-growing trees can sometimes develop weak branch structures. During the dormant season (late winter), inspect your young tree for crossing branches, double leaders (two competing main trunks), or branches with very narrow, weak attachment angles. Making a few strategic pruning cuts when the tree is young will help it develop a strong, stable framework for a long and healthy life.

Navigating the Challenges: Common Problems with Fast Growing Big Trees

While their speed is a huge plus, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides. Being informed helps you make the best choice and provide the right care. This is an essential part of any good fast growing big trees guide.

  • Weaker Wood: Some of the fastest growers, like Poplars and Willows, have softer wood that can be more susceptible to damage from wind and ice storms. Proper pruning to develop a strong structure is your best defense.
  • Shorter Lifespan: “Live fast, die young” can sometimes apply to trees. While an Oak might live for centuries, a Lombardy Poplar might only live for 30-50 years. This is an important factor to consider in your long-term landscape plan.
  • Aggressive Roots: Some fast-growing trees have vigorous root systems that can seek out water lines or damage sidewalks if planted too close. Always research the specific tree’s root behavior and plant it a safe distance from your home’s foundation, septic systems, and pavement.
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Beyond Speed: Embracing Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Fast Growing Big Trees

Growing a tree is a wonderful gift to the environment, and we can make it even better by choosing wisely. Opting for sustainable fast growing big trees means thinking about the bigger picture.

Whenever possible, choose a tree that is native to your region. Native trees are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil, meaning they typically require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. They also provide the best possible food and shelter for local wildlife, making them incredibly eco-friendly fast growing big trees.

Your local cooperative extension office or a reputable nursery can provide lists of fast-growing native trees that will thrive in your specific area. Making this choice supports a healthier local ecosystem right in your own backyard.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Growing Big Trees

What is the absolute fastest-growing shade tree?

The Hybrid Poplar (and its many cultivars like the Lombardy Poplar) is generally considered one of the fastest, often growing more than 6 feet per year. However, remember to balance speed with other factors like wood strength and lifespan.

Do fast-growing trees have shorter lifespans?

Often, yes. There is a general correlation between rapid growth and a shorter lifespan. A fast-growing Empress Tree might live 40-50 years, whereas a slow-growing Oak can live for over 200. It’s a trade-off between immediate impact and long-term permanence.

How far from my house should I plant a fast-growing big tree?

A safe rule is to plant a tree at least half of its mature canopy width away from your home. So, if a tree is expected to have a 40-foot wide canopy, plant it at least 20 feet from your foundation. For trees with known aggressive roots, it’s wise to add even more distance.

Can I grow these trees in a large container?

While you can start almost any tree in a container, fast growing big trees are generally not suitable for long-term container life. Their vigorous root systems will quickly become constrained, stunting their growth and potentially damaging the pot. They are happiest when planted in the ground where they can spread their roots.

Your Journey to a Lush Landscape Begins Now!

You now have the knowledge and confidence to select, plant, and care for a tree that will bring you joy for years to come. Choosing fast growing big trees is an amazing way to quickly add beauty, shade, and life to your garden.

Remember the key takeaways: choose the right tree for the right place, give it a great start with proper planting, and provide consistent water and care in its early years. Don’t be afraid to make a few pruning cuts to ensure it grows strong and tall.

So grab your shovel, pick your perfect tree, and get ready to watch your landscape transform before your very eyes. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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