Tree Growth RatesSearch

By purpose

Fast Growing Shade Trees

These are the best candidates when a yard needs cooling, screening from western sun, or a faster route to canopy cover.

Matched trees
18
What this page targets
Shade trees
Selection rule
Fast growth plus shade use

Matching trees

Canopy trees that combine quick growth with useful shade potential.

Red Maple

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

fast

1.5–2 ft/yr (fast) · 40–120 ft tall · Zones 2–9

Best for: shade

American Sycamore

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 75–100 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade

Dawn Redwood

Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–100 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: shade · privacy

Hackberry

Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–100 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: shade

Tulip Poplar

Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–90 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade

American Elm

American Elm

Ulmus americana

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: shade

Silver Maple

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: shade

Black Walnut

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–75 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · shade

Willow Oak

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–75 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: shade · street

Northern Red Oak

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: shade

Paper Birch

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 2–7

Best for: ornamental · shade

Pin Oak

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: shade · street

River Birch

River Birch

Betula nigra

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 30–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Shumard Oak

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: shade

Autumn Blaze Maple

Autumn Blaze Maple

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–55 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: shade

Empress Tree

Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

very fast

3–5 ft/yr (very fast) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

Morus alba x rubra 'Illinois Everbearing'

fast

3–5 ft/yr (fast) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · shade

Willow Hybrid

Willow Hybrid

Salix matsudana x alba

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 35–50 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: privacy · shade

Similar pages

Other useful ways to narrow the list.