| Key Takeaways |
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| • The list spans 13 fast-growing shade trees: Nuttall oaks, weeping willows, and sycamores round out some of the fastest-growing options for quick shade. • Weeping willows top the list for speed: This deer-resistant tree grows fast and thrives when growing next to a water source such as a pond or lake. • Silver maples handle wet soil well: Growing more than 2 feet per year, this tree tolerates nearly any soil condition, including very wet ones, making it a good rain garden choice. |
When it comes to landscaping, “throwing shade” is all about choosing the right trees for serenity and curb appeal. The trouble is that some trees take years to give you the shade you want.
That is why we compiled this list of the 13 best fast-growing shade trees you can plant in your yard, along with how to choose the right one for your landscape.
But if choosing or planting a tree feels like more than you want to take on, LawnStarter’s local tree care pros can handle it for you.
13 Fast-Growing Shade Trees for Your Yard
The fastest-growing shade trees for most yards are the weeping willow, Nuttall oak, dawn redwood, and tulip poplar, adding 3 to 10 feet of height a year. Below are 13 options with their zones, growth rates, sizes, and care needs so you can match one to your yard.
| Tree | Growth Rate (per Year) | Mature Height |
| Weeping willow | 10 feet | 40 feet |
| Nuttall oak | Up to 4 feet | 40 to 60 feet |
| Dawn redwood | Up to 3.5 feet | Up to 100 feet |
| Tulip poplar | 3 feet | Up to 120 feet |
| American sweetgum | 2 to 3 feet | Up to 100 feet |
| Silver maple | More than 2 feet | Up to 80 feet |
| Quaking aspen | More than 2 feet | Up to 50 feet |
| Sycamore | About 2 feet | Up to 100 feet |
| River birch | 1.5 to 2 feet | Up to 70 feet |
| Red maple | 13 to 24 inches | 40 to 70 feet |
| Japanese zelkova | 1 to 2 feet | Up to 80 feet |
| Northern catalpa | 1 to 2 feet | Up to 60 feet |
| Paper birch | 1 to 2 feet | Up to 70 feet |
1. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Named for its brilliant fall color (red-orange leaves against even redder stems), this deciduous tree is a fast-growing yet low-maintenance accent, with small red blooms in early spring.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Care: Low maintenance. Needs full sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Growth rate: 13 to 24 inches per year.
Cost: Bare-root tree ($22) or potted plant ($50 to $100)
Pro Tip: Did you know that the red maple is one of the 15 best shade trees for Salt Lake City yards?
2. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
One of the biggest and fastest-growing shade trees, the tulip poplar reaches up to 120 feet, so give it room; it is not suited for small yards. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and attracts hummingbirds.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Care: Water and fertilize regularly until established. Mulch to protect roots and maintain moisture.
Growth rate: 3 feet per year.
Cost: $50 to more than $120
3. Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
Quite the statement maker, weeping willows boast a rounded crown of drooping (“weeping”) leaves that turn yellow in fall. Give this deer-resistant, tall tree a large area to grow, ideally near standing water such as a pond or lake.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8
Care: Fertilize until established. Grow in full sun.
Growth rate: 10 feet per year, with an equal or greater spread.
Cost: $20 to $115, depending on size
See Related: How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden and Yard
4. Nuttall Oak (Quercus texana)
Of the more than 500 oak species, several are fast-growing shade trees. Nuttall oak adds up to 4 feet of height each year, with red-orange fall color and reddish-brown acorns. Other fast-growing oaks for shade include pin oak, northern red oak, and sawtooth oak.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
Care: Easy. Soil can be wet or dry, but preferably acidic. Plant in full sun.
Growth rate: Up to 4 feet per year.
Cost: $90 (live plants)
Pro Tip: Did you know that the Nuttall oak is one of the 6 best trees to plant in Houston?
5. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Its green leaves’ silvery undersides add a hint of shimmer along with shade. Because it flourishes in almost any soil, including very wet ones, it makes an excellent choice for a rain garden.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Care: Requires full sun or partial shade and 10 feet of space for roots to spread.
Growth rate: More than 2 feet per year; up to 50 feet wide.
Cost: $15 (bare root)
Pro Tip: Do not plant this big shade tree too close to your house. Once it gets large, its roots can affect the foundation.
6. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
The towering sycamore graces large landscapes with summer shade and fall color. Deer-resistant but attractive to birds, this fast grower needs full sun and well-drained soil.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Care: Water regularly, mulch in winter, and prune occasionally.
Growth rate: About 2 feet per year.
Cost: $25 (bare root) and between $90 and $140 for potted, depending on size.
7. Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata)
If you want a tall shade tree that will thrive in an urban setting, consider the Japanese zelkova. Tolerant of pollution, wind, heat, drought, and many soil types, its green leaves turn copper, gold, orange, and reddish-purple in fall.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
Care: Full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil; prune every fall.
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year.
Cost: $22 (bare root)
8. Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
The northern catalpa, its name derived from the Native American word kutuhlpa, is a drought-tolerant tree with large green leaves and showy spring blooms. Plant it in full sun or partial shade.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Care: Easy. Water when the soil is dry; fertilize and prune yearly in the spring.
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet each year; up to 40 feet wide.
Cost: $15 (bare root)
See Related: 20 Best Drought-Tolerant Trees by Region
9. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
The quaking aspen’s flattened stalks make its leaves tremble in the slightest breeze, followed by brilliant yellow fall color. It has the widest natural range of any native tree species in North America, and Pando, at 106 acres and 40,000 stems, may be the world’s largest living organism at 8,000 to 12,000 years old.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 1 to 7
Care: Plant in well-drained, moist soil.
Growth rate: More than 2 feet per year.
Cost: $17 (bare root) and $140 to $260 (potted), depending on size.
10. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
A low-maintenance deciduous conifer, the dawn redwood is deer-resistant and tolerant of standing water, making it a great choice for a water garden. Its bright green leaves turn orange- to reddish-brown in fall.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
Care: Low; needs full sun and well-drained soil.
Growth rate: Up to 3.5 feet per year.
Cost: $25 (bare root)
11. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
This native tree’s peeling white bark reveals an orange-brown layer beneath. A water-lover that prefers cooler climates, its thin canopy gives shade and its leaves turn bright yellow in fall. Native Americans used it for many purposes, including canoes.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7
Care: Full sun or partial shade in a variety of soil types; fertilize and mulch every spring.
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year; up to 35 feet wide.
Cost: $17 (bare root)
12. River Birch (Betula nigra)
For a more heat-resistant birch, choose the river birch, the only native birch that thrives in the South. It shares the paper birch’s beautiful, peeling, paper-like bark all year round.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Care: Plant in moist, well-drained soil in full sun for the best color; it tolerates partial shade. Use bark mulch and a soaker hose to keep roots cool and moist.
Growth rate: 1.5 to 2 feet per year; up to 60 feet wide.
Cost: $17 (bare root)
13. American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
This native treasure is named for the gum it releases when wounded. Its glossy, star-shaped leaves turn orange, yellow, purple, and bright red in fall. The spiky gumball fruits can be a nuisance, but the tree’s toughness against heat, drought, compaction, and deer makes it a great shade tree.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Care: Needs six hours of full sun but tolerates partial shade. Grows in neutral to acidic, moist but well-drained soil; plant in spring because of its shallow roots.
Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year in moist soil, slower in dry conditions; up to 50 feet wide.
Cost: Bare root costs around $17 and seeds cost around $5.
How to Choose a Fast-Growing Shade Tree
Growth speed is only part of the story. The best fast-growing shade tree for your yard also fits your space, your climate, and your soil.
A well-placed shade tree also pays you back: strategic landscaping can cut a typical household’s energy costs by up to 25%, real energy savings on top of the shade.
Keep these factors in mind before you buy:
Match the mature size to your yard: A tree that races upward can also grow wide, so check the mature height and spread before you plant.
Check your hardiness zone: Pick a tree rated for your USDA hardiness zone so it thrives through your winters and summers.
Know your sun and soil: Most shade trees want full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, though a few tolerate wet spots.
Weigh the trade-offs: Some fast growers have softer wood or hungry roots, so plan for a little extra care and smart placement away from your home and pipes.
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FAQs
Of the 13 listed here, the one that grows the fastest is the weeping willow. It adds about 10 feet to its height each year, topping out at 40 feet. Next in line are Nuttall oaks at 4 feet per year, dawn redwoods at 3.5 feet per year, and tulip poplars at 3 feet per year.
The best time to plant most shade trees is early spring or early fall, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is steady. Cooler weather lets roots settle in before the stress of summer heat or hard winter freezes, giving your tree a strong start toward faster, healthier growth.
Speed comes with trade-offs. Many fast growers, such as silver maple and weeping willow, have softer wood that can crack in storms, plus aggressive roots that reach toward pipes and foundations. Others, like sweetgum, drop messy fruit. Smart placement and a little pruning keep these downsides manageable.
When to Call a Landscaping Pro
Ordering and planting young trees can be a DIY job, and as long as you are sure you have chosen the right tree for the right place, you should be good to go.
But if the idea of planting a whole tree, no matter the size, overwhelms you, get help from one of LawnStarter’s tree care pros.
A tree care pro will help you select a location, choose the best shade trees for your backyard that match your design goals, and ensure the trees are planted correctly.
Main Image: Large trees reaching up to the sky. Photo Credit: Unsplash
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