Quick Shade-Providing Tree Species to Plant Immediately:
Fast-Growing Shade Trees for Small Yards
Starting off in the Shimmering Sunbelt, deciding on a tree that won't take eons to mature and cause headaches like invasive roots and scattered leaves has become a priority for new homeowners. No matter the size of your plot, one giant shade tree on the sun-drenched side of your abode might just suffice. Here's a lowdown on 14 kick-ass fast-growing shade trees perfect for your Southern oasis.
1. Red Maple
- Botanical Name: Acer rubrum
- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial
- Soil: Well-drained, but moist
- Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (4.5-7.0)
Easy-peasy to maintain, Red Maple will grow 60 feet high and 40 feet wide, boasting silvery bark and distinctive three-lobed leaves that glow bright yellow, orange, or red in the fall. Our personal favorite, 'October Glory,' brightens up your Southern landscape with a brilliant scarlet hue. This tree thrives in acid, moist soil, but steer clear of dry, compacted, alkaline soil. Grow it in USDA Zones 4 to 9.
## 2. AlleeTM Chinese Elm- Botanical Name: Ulmus parviflora AlleeTM- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial- Soil: Well-drained- Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, or Alkaline
Hailing from Georgia, this rendition by the University of Georgia offers all the perks: resists pests and diseases, tolerates drought, and can grow in nearly any well-drained soil. It boasts a rounded canopy that tops out at 40 to 60 feet high and wide, with leaves that change to a soft yellow in early fall. In the winter, you'll enjoy speckled orange, olive, and gray bark. You can plant it in USDA Zones 4 to 9.
## 3. Nuttall Oak- Botanical Name: Quercus texana- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil: Any Moist Soil- Soil pH: Acidic to Slightly Alkaline (4.5-7.5)
If you've been considering an oak tree (or two), patience is the key; but Nuttall Oak? Now we're talking! It clocks in at 70 feet tall with a symmetrical, rounded form. Leaves shimmer a striking red in the fall, proving a perfect match for Southern charm. This tough cookie thrives in nearly all soils, even compacted and poorly drained ones. Plant it in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
For those who require an even more drought-tolerant oak tree, look no further than the Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii). Another fantastic, fast-growing option, also sports a lovely rounded shape and undergoes a stunning transformation in the fall. Grow it in growing grades 5-9.
## 4. Chinese Pistache- Botanical Name: Pistacia chinensis- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil: Well-drained- Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline (5.5-7.5)
This petite, medium-sized shade tree offers the best of both worlds: providing shade for smaller areas and turning up the heat with vibrant fall foliage ranging from fiery orange to red. It's a pest-free marvel, also super adaptable and thriving in nearly any well-drained soil. urbanites can't get enough of the chi-chi Chinese Pistache, as it's great for urban planting. Grow it in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
## 5. Japanese Zelkova- Botanical Name: Zelkova serrata- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil: Well-drained but Moist- Soil pH: Acidic to Slightly Alkaline (5.0-7.5)
This tree, a relative to elms, showcases a distinctively vase-shaped form with ascending branches, supplying plenty of headroom for your stroll in the shade. Like Chinese elm, it's disease- and pest-resistant, growing in almost any well-drained soil. Expect it to reach 50 to 70 feet tall and wide at maturity. Leaves change to yellow, orange, and russet-red in the fall. Try out "Green Vase" or "Village Green" selections. Grow it in USDA Zones 5 to 8.
## 6. Hackberry- Botanical Name: Celtis occidentalis- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial- Soil: Well-drained but Moist, Organically Rich- Soil pH: Mildly Acidic to Mildly Alkaline (6.0-8.0)
Hackberry is a tough cookie, making it a winner in horrid weather conditions from Florida to the chilly North. It hardly needs watering and can stand up to harsh winds, making it a top choice for Southern storms. Hackberry commonly reaches 60 feet, but with a 200-year lifespan, it may double that size. Although it's not renowned for fall foliage, expect trees to turn a warm yellow. Enjoy its edible fruits, too! Grow in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
## 7. Gumbo-Limbo- Botanical Name: Bursera simaruba- Sun: Full- Soil: Well-drained, Sandy Loam- Soil pH: Neutral to Alkaline (7.0-8.0)
Native to South Florida, this sturdy shade tree thrives in the heat, dry sandy soil, and salt spray. Typically growing 25 to 40 feet tall with a rounded or spreading canopy, it makes a perfect accent tree for your lawn or along the street. With a little pruning, it's the perfect accessory for your modern living space. Plant it in zones 10 and 11.
## 8. American Sweetgum- Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil Type: Average, Well-drained Soil- Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0-7.0)
Certainly, not everyone fancies the intriguing spiky gumballs American Sweetgum drops in the winter, but this tree takes the cake with its fall foliage of radiant yellow, orange, red, and purple. Its pyramidal shape evolves into a rounded form as it matures, growing up to 70 feet tall and 45 feet wide. These beautiful trees hold their leaves longer than most, keeping you enchanted well into autumn. Grow it in USDA Zones 5 to 9.
## 9. Silver Maple- Botanical Name: Acer saccharinum- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial- Soil: Moist- Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (4.5-7.0)
Silver Maple may reach 80 feet in height with a width of 50 feet, expanding quickly at the rate of more than 2 feet per year. Its distinctive leaves, with silvery undersides, provide a unique addition to your backyard. This fast-growing shade tree flourishes in most soils, earning it the title of super-easy to cultivate. Grow in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
## 10. Weeping Willow- Botanical Name: Salix babylonica- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil: Moist- Soil pH: Acidic to Slightly Alkaline (5.5-8.0)
If you yearn for a dramatic touch in your garden, go ahead and give Weeping Willow a whirl. This rounded tree grows swiftly, reaching 30 to 40 feet high on average, more than 3 feet per year. It's best to plant it 50 feet away from your home and the neighbors, preferably near a water source. The drooping leaves make for a delightful nesting area for small birds and animals. Grow it in USDA Zones 6 to 8.
## 11. Bald Cypress- Botanical Name: Taxodium distichum- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil Type: Moist- Soil pH: Mildly Acidic to Neutral (5.5-7.0)
Bald Cypress's distinctive, feathery leaves turn a mesmerizing russet red in the fall before dropping, revealing reddish-brown bark. These trees thrive best in full sun and are an excellent pick for damp or swampy Southern soils. With a skyward growth rate, Bald Cypress trees may reach 100 feet tall by 40 feet wide, so be mindful of their location. Grow in USDA Zones 5-10.
## 12. Tulip Poplar- Botanical Name: Liriodendron tulipifera- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial- Soil: Well-drained but Moist- Soil pH: Acidic (4.5-6.5)
Plant the dapper Tulip Poplar on a vast property where it can spread its wings. With a pyramid shape, this fast-growing shade tree skyrockets up to 120 feet, rising over 3 feet each year. Its unique flowers emerge in shades of yellow, green, and orange in the spring and early summer. Grow in USDA Zones 4 to 9 in well-drained but moist soil.
## 13. American Linden- Botanical Name: Tilia americana- Sun Exposure: Full or Partial- Soil Type: Loamy, Well-drained but Moist- Soil pH: Mildly Acidic to Mildly Alkaline (5.5-7.5)
Growing 2 feet annually, the American Linden or Basswood Tree may reach an impressive 60 feet in height. Its pretty yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies in the spring, while its heart-shaped, dark green leaves turn a stunning gold in the fall. This splendid tree requires rich, well-drained soil and can be found in zones 3 to 8.
## 14. Ginkgo- Botanical Name: Ginkgo biloba- Sun Exposure: Full- Soil Type: Well-drained but Moist- Soil pH: Mildly Acidic to Mildly Alkaline (5.5-7.5)
A fan of the exotic? The Ginkgo tree will surely enthrall with its fan-shaped leaves, vibrant fall color, and uncanny toughness in urban settings. Growing 1 to 2 feet each year, it may reach heights of 50 feet or higher. Take your pick from numerous varieties to achieve a distinct pyramid shape or a more rounded form. Opt for a male tree to skip the smelly fruit and plant it nicely in zones 3-9.
- Southern Living's recommendations for outdoor plants include the AlleeTM Chinese Elm, which grows well in various soil types and climate zones, offering a soft yellow foliage in the fall and speckled bark in winter.
- The Nuttall Oak, a favorite fast-growing shade tree for Southern gardens, reaches 70 feet tall with a symmetrical shape. Its striking red leaves in the fall complement Southern charm and thrive in nearly all soil conditions, making it a versatile addition to any yard.
- The Red Maple, a low-maintenance tree, is another great choice for Southern gardens. As it grows 60 feet high and 40 feet wide, it adds sweet autumn colors to the landscape with leaves that turn bright yellow, orange, or red.
- The copy_phixr gardeners might want to consider is the Chinese Pistache, a petite, attractive choice for smaller areas that offers vibrant fall foliage and great adaptability to various soil conditions.
- Gardening ideas for yards could incorporate the Japanese Zelkova, which showcases a vase-shaped form with ascending branches, offering ample headroom for a stroll in the shade. This tree thrives in well-drained soil and boasts beautiful fall foliage (yellow, orange, and russet-red leaves).
