Fast Growing Shade Trees

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Small Yards

Corkscrew Willow, Kwanzan Cherry, Yoshino Cherry, Cleveland Pear, Profusion Crabapple, Lombardy Poplar, and Pink Mimosa are excellent fast growing shade trees for small yards. None of these trees grows wider than 30 feet. The Lombardy Poplar tree only grows 10 to 15 feet wide and is extremely fast growing. Cleveland Pear trees and Corkscrew Willow trees only grow 15 to 20 feet wide at maturity.

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 4

Some states that have zone 4 regions are Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Maine. The best Fast Growing Shade Trees for zone 4 are Autumn Blaze Maple, Crimson King Maple, Ginkgo, Lombardy Poplar, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, and Silver Maple. The American Sycamore, Brandywine Maple, Dawn Redwood, October Glory Maple, Profusion Crabapple, Red Sunset Maple, River Birch, Tulip Poplar, and Weeping Willow are also recommended for zone 4, but will do best planted in spring or summer to get plenty of time to establish prior to winter.

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 5

The New England states, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana are all largely zone 5. The best quick growing Shade Trees for zone 5 are Maples, Poplars, Oaks, Ginkgo, American Sycamore, Dawn Redwood, Profusion Crabapple, River Birch, and Weeping Willow. Cleveland Pear, Kwanzan Cherry, Shumard Oak, Willow Oak, and Yoshino Cherry are also recommended for zone 5, but will do best planted in spring or summer to get plenty of time to establish prior to winter.

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 6 

Idaho, Utah, Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada are primarily zone 6 states. Autumn Blaze Maple, Crimson King Maple, Ginkgo, Lombardy Poplar, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, Silver Maple, American Sycamore, Brandywine Maple, Dawn Redwood, October Glory Maple, Profusion Crabapple, Red Sunset Maple, River Birch, Tulip Poplar, Weeping Willow, Cleveland Pear, Kwanzan Cherry, Shumard Oak, Willow Oak, and Yoshino Cherry are excellent fast growing shade trees for zone 6.   

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 7

Some states that have large zone 7 regions are Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. This moderate zone is great for growing any of our shade trees.

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 8

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana are largely zone 8. The best fast growers for this zone are Flowering Cherry and Pear trees, Mimosa, Sycamore, Ginkgo, Maple, Poplar, Oak, and Willow. 

Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 9

California, Florida, southern Texas, and southern Arizona are tropical areas that require heat and drought tolerant trees. Cleveland Pear, Mimosa, Kwanzan Cherry, American Sycamore, Brandywine, October Glory, Red, and Silver Maple, Ginkgo, Lombardy and Tulip Poplar, Shumard and Willow Oak, River Birch, and Weeping Willow are trees recommended for Zone 9.