Trees

4–7 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: edible · native

American Elm

Ulmus americana

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

Best for: shade

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: ornamental · native

American Linden

Tilia americana

1.5–3 ft/yr (moderate) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: shade · native

American Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

0.9–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · native

American Pillar Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'

3 ft/yr (fast) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: privacy · windbreak

American Smoketree

Cotinus obovatus

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: ornamental · native

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

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

Best for: shade

Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 6–8

Best for: ornamental · evergreen

Autumn Blaze Maple

Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'

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

Best for: shade

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Bartlett Pear

Pyrus communis 'Bartlett'

2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–20 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · native

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

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

Best for: edible · shade

Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

0.2–2 ft/yr (slow) · 15–20 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: ornamental · shade

Brown Turkey Fig

Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'

1.1–2 ft/yr (fast) · 10–20 ft tall · Zones 7–10

Best for: edible · orchard

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 70–80 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: shade

Carolina Silverbell

Halesia carolina

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 20–40 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: flowering · native

Cherry Laurel

Prunus caroliniana

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 7–10

Best for: privacy · ornamental

Chicago Hardy Fig

Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy'

1–2 ft/yr (fast) · 10–15 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: edible · orchard

Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia

2–3 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–50 ft tall · Zones 5–10

Best for: shade · ornamental

Chinkapin Oak

Quercus muehlenbergii

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: shade · native

Colorado Blue Spruce

Picea pungens

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 2–7

Best for: ornamental · privacy

Contender Peach

Prunus persica 'Contender'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 12–15 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Cortland Apple

Malus domestica 'Cortland'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 4–7

Best for: edible · orchard

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 6–30 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen'

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 8–10 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: ornamental · shade

Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria japonica

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: privacy · ornamental

Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

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

Best for: shade · privacy

Deodar Cedar

Cedrus deodara

1.1–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–70 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: ornamental · privacy

Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–80 ft tall · Zones 4–7

Best for: evergreen · windbreak

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–40 ft tall · Zones 2–9

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 10–15 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

very fast

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

Best for: shade · ornamental

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

0.5–0.8 ft/yr (slow) · 12–20 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Fuji Apple

Malus domestica 'Fuji'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Fuyu Persimmon

Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–20 ft tall · Zones 7–10

Best for: edible · orchard

Gala Apple

Malus domestica 'Gala'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Goldenraintree

Koelreuteria paniculata

0.5–2 ft/yr (fast) · 30–40 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: ornamental · street

Granny Smith Apple

Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Green Giant Arborvitae

Thuja x 'Green Giant'

3–4 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

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

Best for: shade

Hazelnut

Corylus americana

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 8–15 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · native

Honeycrisp Apple

Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 4–7

Best for: edible · orchard

Hybrid Poplar

Populus deltoides x nigra

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

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

Morus alba x rubra 'Illinois Everbearing'

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

Best for: edible · shade

Jane Magnolia

Magnolia x 'Jane'

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 10–15 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Jujube

Ziziphus jujuba

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–30 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: shade · native

Kieffer Pear

Pyrus communis x pyrifolia 'Kieffer'

1.5–2.5 ft/yr (fast) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Kousa Dogwood

Cornus kousa

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–30 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Kwanzan Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 25–40 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Leyland Cypress

x Cuprocyparis leylandii

2.3–5 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Liberty Apple

Malus domestica 'Liberty'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 12–18 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Little Gem Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–20 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: ornamental · privacy

Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–80 ft tall · Zones 8–10

Best for: shade

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–90 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: windbreak · evergreen

Methley Plum

Prunus salicina 'Methley'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 10–20 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Meyer Lemon

Citrus x meyeri

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 6–10 ft tall · Zones 8–11

Best for: edible · patio

Muskogee Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Muskogee'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Natchez Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez'

3–5 ft/yr (fast) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Nellie Stevens Holly

Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 6–9

Best for: privacy · ornamental

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

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

Best for: shade

Norway Spruce

Picea abies

1.5 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 3–7

Best for: privacy · windbreak

October Glory Red Maple

Acer rubrum 'October Glory'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–50 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

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

Best for: ornamental · shade

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

1.5–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–30 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · native

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

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

Best for: shade · street

Quince

Cydonia oblonga

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 10–20 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

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

Best for: shade

Red Sunset Maple

Acer rubrum 'Franksred'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–50 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · ornamental

Redhaven Peach

Prunus persica 'Redhaven'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 12–15 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Reliance Peach

Prunus persica 'Reliance'

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 12–15 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: edible · orchard

River Birch

Betula nigra

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

Best for: shade · ornamental

Santa Rosa Plum

Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · native

Saucer Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangeana

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Serviceberry

Amelanchier x grandiflora

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: flowering · ornamental

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

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

Best for: shade

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum

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

Best for: shade

Skip Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 10–18 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: privacy · ornamental

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 5–9

Best for: ornamental · native

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 60–80 ft tall · Zones 6–10

Best for: ornamental · flowering

Spartan Juniper

Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 50–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Stanley Plum

Prunus domestica 'Stanley'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–20 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: edible · orchard

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 40–120 ft tall · Zones 3–8

Best for: shade

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: shade · native

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–35 ft tall · Zones 5–10

Best for: flowering · native

Taylor Juniper

Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor'

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–30 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: privacy · windbreak

Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

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

Best for: shade

Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 10–20 ft tall · Zones 7–11

Best for: privacy · ornamental

Weeping Cherry

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

1.1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 5–8

Best for: flowering · ornamental

White Oak

Quercus alba

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 50–135 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: shade

Willow Hybrid

Salix matsudana x alba

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

Best for: privacy · shade

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

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

Best for: shade · street

Yellowwood

Cladrastis kentukea

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 4–8

Best for: flowering · native

Yoshino Cherry

Prunus x yedoensis