Fast-growing trees have a decided advantage when used in landscaping. They provide organic fences, privacy markers, and cordon off property boundaries. They serve as excellent windbreaks and keep the soil from eroding. They provide comforting shade on hot days and canopy barriers against falling rain. Fast Growing Trees come in evergreen or deciduous varieties, broad canopy or column shaped. Deciding on the best fast-growing tree for landscaping purposes depends upon the preference of the individual, taking maintenance, location, and visual appeal into consideration.
Maple Trees
The popularity of the maple tree goes without question. Maple trees are plentiful in the United States, particularly on the east coast. They are known for their voluminous canopies filled with attractive, dense leaves that last into the fall. They are considered very ornamental since they can be easily sculpted and trimmed. There are wide varieties of maple trees; most are fast-growing. The full-grown varieties provide excellent shade trees, producing vast and thick canopies. The Norway maple tree is exceptionally cold-resistant and durable in adverse weather. The Japanese maple is incredibly colorful, maintaining red leaves that turn purple in the spring turning orange and yellow in the fall. The dwarf maple trees serve as ideal walkway borders, present well around gardens, and be planted close to houses and structures without root and limb intrusion. Maples also produce syrup and can be tapped. Their wood is highly prized as construction lumber, and its charcoal is highly prized.
Empress Trees
The royal empress tree is a fast-growing species, often reaching 50 feet with a lateral spread of 30 to 40 feet. They serve as excellent shade trees and can grow as much as 10 feet in a year. They require minimal maintenance aside from water and occasional trimming. The foliage is very dense and robust, making them good windbreak trees. The royal empress trees produce a small, fuzzy bud during the winter that turns into sweet-smelling purple flowers at the beginning of spring. The empress tree does well in almost all soil conditions and can withstand drought better than most comparable trees. It has a high tolerance to diseases and insect infestation.
The Lombardy poplar trees are a fast-growing species with very dense growth characteristics. They are often used as windscreens when planted in successive rows, forming strong windbreaks. They can grow 6 to 8 feet in a year and often reach heights between 40 and 60 feet. The canopy spread is relatively narrow, spanning 10 to 15 feet, allowing them to be planted in neat rows. The branches of the tree grow in a peculiar upward-turned direction. They thrive in partial or complete shade conditions. Not considered evergreen, poplar trees produce bright gold leaves during the fall season. During the beginning and mid portion of spring, flowers open that resemble red and green catkins, contributing to its visual appeal.
