By outcome
Trees That Create Shade Fast
Fast shade depends on more than growth label alone. This page emphasizes trees that combine quick establishment with enough mature height or spread to make a real difference in a yard.
Matching trees
Trees that can build useful shade quickly through a mix of rapid growth and canopy size.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
1.5–2 ft/yr (fast) · 40–120 ft tall · Zones 2–9
Best for: shade
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 75–100 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade
Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–100 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade · privacy
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–100 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–90 ft tall · Zones 6–9
Best for: windbreak · evergreen
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–90 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade
American Elm
Ulmus americana
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–8
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–75 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: edible · shade
Willow Oak
Quercus phellos
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–75 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade · street
Deodar Cedar
Cedrus deodara
1.1–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–70 ft tall · Zones 6–9
Best for: ornamental · privacy
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 2–7
Best for: ornamental · shade
Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade · street
River Birch
Betula nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 30–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade · ornamental
American Chestnut Hybrid
Castanea dentata hybrid
4–7 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: edible · native
Hybrid Poplar
Populus deltoides x nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade
Autumn Blaze Maple
Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–55 ft tall · Zones 3–8
Best for: shade
Empress Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
3–5 ft/yr (very fast) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade · ornamental
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
Willow Hybrid
Salix matsudana x alba
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 35–50 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: privacy · shade
Yoshino Cherry
Prunus x yedoensis
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 30–40 ft tall · Zones 5–8
Best for: flowering · ornamental
Goldenraintree
Koelreuteria paniculata
0.5–2 ft/yr (fast) · 30–40 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: ornamental · street
Similar pages
Other useful ways to narrow the list.