10 Fast-Growing Shade Trees to Plant in Your Yard

Sycamore

Several species are available within this impressive genus, including the American sycamore that's native to the East Coast, the heat-resistant Arizona sycamore, and the internationally popular hybrid London plane tree.

"All of these species feature the impressive mottled or peeling bark that becomes smooth and white in the upper trunk and canopy," says Blake Watkins, a master arborist and operations partner at Monster Tree Service. "Pick a species native to your area to delight your local insects and birds—or opt for the tried-and-true London plane tree to thrive where other trees fail."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Growth rate: 2 feet per year 
• Mature size: 50 to 100 feet tall x 20 to 40 feet wide 
• Growing conditions: This depends on the type of sycamore you're growing: "All are great for lower wet areas or poor soils found in urban suburban areas and new developments," says Watkins.

River Birch

Native to North America, the river birch puts on a beautiful show during all four seasons. "Bright green leaves on semi-arching branches appear in the spring, followed by long, dangling seed pods in early summer," says Walz. "In the fall, the leaves turn a striking shade of yellow, and after they drop, the unique exfoliating bark on the trunk is revealed—which provides ornamental interest during the winter."

As the name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along riverbanks and wet areas in the United States. However, this tree can tolerate a variety of soil conditions in the landscape. Often grown as a multi-stemmed tree, its spreading limbs provide an overall pyramidal to oval shape.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
• Mature zize: 40 to 70 feet tall x 25 to 50 feet wide 
• Growing Conditions: "River birch naturally grows along riverbanks and wet areas in the United States. However, this tree can tolerate a variety of soil conditions in the landscape," Walz says. 

Bald Cypress

The bald cypress is a deciduous conifer, and is special because it's the only conifer that sheds its needles in the fall. (That's how it got its name!) It also produces nice shade when full of foliage and has a high tolerance to air pollution and less-than-ideal soil conditions. 

"Its versatility has helped it become a successful tree in the country to the urban environment," says George Pisegna, chief horticulturist at the New York Horticultural Society. "This tree is very durable and adaptable. The needles start out chartreuse green to a light green in the summer turning orange in the fall."

• Zones: 4 to 10
• Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year 
• Mature size: 50 to 70 feet tall x 20 to 30 feet wide 
• Growing conditions: The bald cypress grows naturally in floodplains or river edges, but it can thrive in disturbed soils and even drought-like conditions.

Palo Verde

Speaking of fast-growing shade trees that can tolerate extreme conditions: The palo verde is a desert native that produces an incredible show every spring via a burst of tiny yellow blooms. These flowers are so dense that they provide nice shade. When not blooming, the lush green leaves step in to provide respite from the desert sun. In the winter, when temperatures are cooler and days are shorter, it drops its leaves and becomes bare.

• Zones: 8 to 10
• Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year 
• Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 20 to 25 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Palo verde trees do best in desert climates, including the southwest United States. They are drought tolerant trees and can handle full sun. Still, in their early years, they do best with regular watering to help establish the root system.
  

Tulip Tree

As you may have guessed, the tulip tree gets its name because it produces blossoms that closely resemble springtime tulips. These buds are aromatic and are a golden-green hue ringed with vibrant orange. "The tulip tree, a member of the magnolia family, is one of the largest native trees in North America. Tulip trees are also the host plant for tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies," Walz says.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Growth rate: 2 to 4 feet per year 
• Mature size: 70 to 90 feet tall x 40 feet wide 
• Growing conditions: It prefers moist, well-draining, loose-texture soil and full or partial sun.

Weeping Willow

Though its name might sound sad, the beauty of this elegant tree is anything but. Its slender green and silver leaves droop downward to create a cavern-like effect underneath that's perfect for reading a good book, chatting with a friend, sitting solo, or enjoying a picnic. It has a romantic, almost storybook appearance and thrives best at the water's edge. 

• Zones: 4 to 10
• Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year 
• Mature size: 30 to 40 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Weeping willows grow best near water, but can handle dryer environments, as well. It prefers a well-draining sandy or clay soil, and prefers full or partial sun.

Thuja 'Green Giant'

Referred to as the "green giant," this large, fast-growing shade tree is a conifer that sports dense, dark green foliage. It takes on a pyramid shape via its flat splays, and stays green throughout the year. "Thuja 'Green Giant' can quickly provide a lush, dense privacy screen that looks great all year round," notes Walz. "It requires little or no pruning, but can easily be sheared if necessary."

• Zones: 6 to 8
• Growth rate: up to 3 feet per year 
• Mature size: 50 to 60 feet tall x 12 to 20 feet wide 
• Growing conditions: It's very easy to plant and grow and tolerates almost any soil type. It's also resistant to deer and most other pests. 

Red Maple

The red maple is indigenous to the eastern United States, though it's spread in popularity across a great portion of the country. "The red maple is used in landscapes for its brilliant fall foliage," Pisegna says. "In the spring, this tree sports red male flowers and red samaras on female trees. Red maple leaves, twigs, and fruits provide a food source for many insects, birds, and mammals.” 

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year 
• Mature size: 60 to 90 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide 
• Growing conditions: "This tree does well in many different environments. It can thrive at different elevations and both wet or dry soil," says Pisegna. It prefers full sun. 

Ficus

The magnificent ficus grows at an incredibly fast rate and produces a dense display of glossy, dark green foliage. It provides not just wonderful shade, but a haven for local birds who are happy to rest on its branches out of the sun's reach. Because of how quickly they grow, it's important to be strategic when planting this tree; its roots can stretch far, so prune as needed.

• Zones: 7 to 11
• Growth rate: 1 to 3 feet per year 
• Mature size: 50 to 60 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Ficus trees prefer full sun, routine watering, and well-draining soil. 

American Elm

The American elm is native to the Eastern United States and provides an elegant, umbrella-shaped canopy and a crown of medium-sized leaves that casts a dense shade. "This is an iconic American tree with large specimens still present in Central Park and along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.," Watkins says. "Disease-resistant cultivars are sold in nurseries, making it possible to grow a piece of American history in your backyard."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Growth rate: 2 feet per year 
• Mature size: 30 to 70 feet tall x 30 to 60 feet wide
• Growing conditions: The American Elm is a resilient tree that tolerates many types of soil, including well-drained sands, organic bogs, prairie loams, and combinations of all the above. It prefers full sun.