15 Best Fast Growing Evergreen Trees for Any Yard
Looking to enhance your landscape? Discover the 15 best fast-growing evergreen trees that offer beauty, privacy, and shade for any yard. Perfect for homeowners wanting lush greenery year-round.
Evergreen trees bring life and vibrancy to any yard, keeping their foliage intact throughout the year. Whether you want to create a nLeyland Cypressatural privacy screen, add shade, or just enjoy lush greenery, fast-growing evergreen trees are the perfect solution. These trees not only fill your landscape with beauty but also grow quickly, so you won’t have to wait years to enjoy a thriving yard.
In this article, we’ll explore the 15 best fast-growing evergreen trees, highlighting their unique characteristics and benefits. With these trees in your yard, you can have a green, vibrant landscape all year round. Let’s dive in!
1. Leyland Cypress – Perfect for Privacy Screens
The Leyland Cypress is a popular choice for homeowners seeking quick privacy screens or windbreaks. Known for its rapid growth, this tree can add 3 to 4 feet of height per year, making it ideal for those who need fast coverage. Its dense, feathery foliage creates a soft, elegant appearance while effectively blocking views and reducing noise. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Leyland Cypress provides year-round greenery, ensuring privacy in all seasons. Planting a row along your fence line creates a lush, natural barrier that transforms your outdoor space into a secluded retreat. This hardy tree thrives in a variety of climates and requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a practical choice for busy homeowners. Whether shielding your yard from neighbors or buffering strong winds, Leyland Cypresses offer beauty and functionality, enhancing both the privacy and charm of your landscape.
2. Thuja Green Giant – A Low-Maintenance Choice
The Thuja Green Giant is well-known for its rapid growth and low-maintenance care, making it a top choice for homeowners with large yards. This hardy evergreen can grow as much as 5 feet per year, quickly providing shade, privacy, or wind protection. Its lush emerald-green foliage maintains its vibrant color throughout the year, adding beauty to any landscape. Additionally, the Thuja Green Giant is highly disease-resistant, making it a reliable option for those seeking a long-lasting, trouble-free tree. Whether planted in rows to create a natural privacy screen or used as a standalone focal point, this fast-growing tree transforms outdoor spaces in a short time. It adapts well to various climates and soil types, thriving with minimal upkeep once established. With its impressive size and elegant appearance, the Thuja Green Giant offers both function and style, making it an excellent addition to any large yard or garden.
3. Eastern White Pine – Ideal for Large Spaces
The Eastern White Pine is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to fill a large yard quickly. Known for its rapid growth, this tree can gain up to 3 feet each year, eventually reaching impressive heights of up to 80 feet. Its long, soft needles add a graceful touch, swaying gently in the breeze and creating a calming, natural ambiance. Perfect for expansive landscapes, the Eastern White Pine provides both beauty and functionality, offering shade and privacy over time. Its fast growth makes it ideal for homeowners eager to establish a mature, lush landscape. This tree thrives in various soil types and adapts well to different climates, making it a versatile option for many regions. Whether used as a windbreak, privacy screen, or simply to enhance the aesthetic of a large yard, the Eastern White Pine brings elegance and natural charm to any outdoor space.
4. Arborvitae Emerald Green – A Compact Beauty
If you’re searching for an evergreen tree that suits smaller yards, the Arborvitae Emerald Green is an excellent choice. This compact tree grows to a manageable height of 12 to 15 feet, making it perfect for creating privacy without overwhelming your space. Its slender, upright shape adds elegance to any landscape while fitting comfortably in tight areas. The Arborvitae Emerald Green is ideal for hedges or borders, offering year-round greenery that enhances your yard’s aesthetic. Low maintenance and resilient, it thrives in various climates and requires minimal care to stay healthy and vibrant. This tree’s dense foliage provides excellent privacy, making it a stylish and functional option for smaller outdoor spaces. Whether you plant a single row along your fence line or group several for a lush hedge, the Arborvitae Emerald Green delivers beauty, privacy, and easy upkeep, all in a space-friendly package.
5. Italian Cypress – Tall and Slim Elegance
The Italian Cypress stands out with its tall, slender shape, bringing an air of elegance to any outdoor space. Reaching growth rates of up to 3 feet per year, this tree is perfect for homeowners seeking vertical greenery without sacrificing too much yard space. Its columnar form makes it ideal for lining driveways, framing entryways, or creating natural privacy screens. Often found in Mediterranean-inspired landscapes, the Italian Cypress adds sophistication with minimal effort. This evergreen tree thrives in various climates, tolerating heat and drought once established, making it both beautiful and low-maintenance. Its dense, dark green foliage remains vibrant year-round, ensuring your yard stays lush no matter the season. Whether you plant a single row along a fence or use it to create striking focal points, the Italian Cypress brings both style and function to any landscape, complementing both modern and traditional garden designs.
6. Norway Spruce – Fast-Growing and Hardy
The Norway Spruce is a fast-growing, versatile tree that adapts easily to various climates, making it an excellent choice for homeowners seeking both beauty and resilience. Known for its striking pyramidal shape and vibrant green foliage, this evergreen adds charm and structure to any landscape. With growth rates of 2-3 feet per year, the Norway Spruce quickly provides coverage, whether used as a windbreak, privacy screen, or decorative focal point. Its dense branches offer excellent shelter for wildlife, adding ecological value to your yard. This hardy tree thrives in full sun and tolerates cold, wind, and poor soil conditions, making it a low-maintenance option for almost any region. Whether planted as a single specimen or in rows for a lush barrier, the Norway Spruce adds year-round greenery and elevates the look of your outdoor space with minimal effort.
7. Japanese Cedar – A Touch of the Exotic
The Japanese Cedar adds a touch of exotic beauty to any landscape with its soft, feathery foliage and striking reddish-brown bark. This fast-growing tree can reach impressive heights of up to 50 feet, making it ideal for homeowners seeking a tall, elegant addition to their yard. Known for its graceful appearance, the Japanese Cedar thrives in both full sun and partial shade, offering versatility in where it can be planted. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round greenery, while its delicate needles provide a soft, textured look that contrasts beautifully with other plants or hardscapes. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this tree is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating various soil types and weather conditions. Whether used as a focal point, privacy screen, or planted in clusters, the Japanese Cedar brings a unique charm and natural elegance to any outdoor space.
8. Murray Cypress – Resistant and Rapid-Growing
The Murray Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen prized for its impressive growth rate and natural resistance to pests and diseases. Capable of growing 3-4 feet annually, it quickly provides lush, dense coverage, making it an ideal choice for homeowners seeking privacy or windbreaks. With minimal maintenance required, this tree thrives in various climates and soil types, ensuring it remains healthy without much effort. Its soft, green foliage stays vibrant year-round, adding beauty and functionality to any landscape. Whether planted as a hedge along property lines or in rows to create a natural barrier, the Murray Cypress offers quick results with little upkeep. This hardy tree's resilience and rapid growth make it perfect for those who want an attractive, low-maintenance landscape solution that provides both privacy and aesthetic appeal.
9. Blue Atlas Cedar – Striking Color and Shape
The Blue Atlas Cedar captivates with its distinctive blue-green needles and irregular, eye-catching shape. Known for its rapid growth, this striking evergreen quickly becomes a focal point in any landscape. Its unique appearance adds depth and character, making it an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a standout feature. Plant it as a standalone specimen to highlight its sculptural form, or integrate it into garden beds for added texture and visual interest. The Blue Atlas Cedar thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, adapting well to various climates. With minimal care, it maintains its vibrant foliage year-round, adding elegance and charm to outdoor spaces. Whether used as a feature tree or incorporated into a larger garden design, the Blue Atlas Cedar offers beauty and personality, ensuring it remains a beloved addition to any yard.
10. Sweet Bay Magnolia – Fragrant and Evergreen
The Sweet Bay Magnolia combines beauty and practicality with its fragrant blooms and evergreen foliage. This graceful tree grows up to 2 feet each year, offering a reliable source of shade and elegance for your garden. Its creamy white flowers release a subtle, pleasant scent, adding a refreshing aroma to outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, the tree’s glossy, deep-green leaves create a lush and vibrant backdrop year-round. Perfect for garden beds, patios, or as a standalone specimen, the Sweet Bay Magnolia thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various landscapes. Its moderate size and consistent growth rate make it an ideal choice for homeowners seeking a manageable yet striking tree. Whether you’re looking to enhance your garden with shade, fragrance, or year-round greenery, the Sweet Bay Magnolia delivers on all fronts, bringing charm and sophistication to any outdoor setting.
11. Deodar Cedar – Elegant and Soft-Textured
The Deodar Cedar is an elegant evergreen admired for its soft needles and distinctive, drooping branches that lend a sense of tranquility to any landscape. Growing up to 3 feet annually, this tree is an excellent choice for large yards or expansive properties, where it can stand as a focal point or blend into a natural setting. Its graceful silhouette and lush, blue-green foliage create a serene, calming presence, making it a popular option for homeowners seeking both beauty and shade. As it matures, the Deodar Cedar develops a broad, pyramid-like shape that adds structure and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Requiring minimal maintenance, this tree thrives in full sun and adapts well to various climates. Whether planted as a single specimen or in a group, the Deodar Cedar offers timeless charm, enhancing the natural beauty of any garden or yard with its graceful appearance.
12. Cryptomeria Radicans – A Robust Grower
The Cryptomeria Radicans is a fantastic choice for homeowners seeking fast-growing coverage. With an impressive growth rate of 3-4 feet per year, this tree quickly fills out to provide privacy and greenery. Its vibrant, lush foliage retains a rich green color throughout the year, adding visual appeal to any outdoor setting. Known for its resilience, the Cryptomeria Radicans thrives in a variety of climates and requires minimal upkeep, making it an ideal low-maintenance option for busy homeowners. Whether used as a hedge, screen, or accent tree, it brings natural charm to gardens and landscapes. Its soft, feathery foliage and graceful, upright form create a soothing aesthetic while offering practical benefits like wind protection and noise reduction. Planting Cryptomeria Radicans ensures quick results and enduring beauty, making it a reliable solution for enhancing both the functionality and appearance of your outdoor space.
13. Scotch Pine – A Versatile Evergreen Option
The Scotch Pine thrives in diverse climates, making it a reliable and adaptable choice for homeowners. Known for its rapid growth, this tree provides quick coverage, whether you need privacy or shade. Its twisted, blue-green needles and rugged, textured bark give the Scotch Pine a unique, rustic appeal that adds character to any yard. This versatile evergreen works well in various landscape designs, from natural woodland settings to more structured gardens. It performs equally well as a standalone focal point or as part of a group planting, creating windbreaks or visual barriers. Low-maintenance and hardy, the Scotch Pine resists challenging weather conditions and adapts to different soil types, making it an easy addition to care for. Whether you’re looking to enhance your garden’s aesthetic or improve functionality, the Scotch Pine offers both beauty and practicality, bringing year-round greenery and charm to your outdoor space.
14. Eucalyptus – Fast Growth with Aromatic Leaves
The Eucalyptus tree is known for its rapid growth and distinctive fragrance, making it a standout addition to any landscape. With aromatic, silvery-green leaves, it brings both beauty and a refreshing scent to your outdoor space. This fast-growing tree thrives in warm climates, often reaching several feet of new growth each year, providing quick height and visual interest. Its tall, graceful form adds structure and shade, making it ideal for yards that need greenery and character. Whether planted as a focal point or used to create a natural screen, the Eucalyptus enhances the atmosphere with its unique look and scent. Additionally, its low-maintenance nature makes it a practical choice for homeowners seeking both beauty and ease of care. Perfect for large yards or garden borders, the Eucalyptus delivers elegance, shade, and aroma, transforming your outdoor space with minimal effort.
15. Bamboo (Clumping Variety) – Unique and Fast-Spreading
For a unique option, consider planting clumping bamboo. This fast-growing plant offers both beauty and practicality, spreading quickly without the invasiveness of running bamboo varieties. It’s an excellent choice for creating natural privacy screens or sound barriers, with its dense foliage providing year-round coverage. Beyond its functional benefits, bamboo adds a sleek, modern touch that complements contemporary garden designs. Its tall, slender stalks sway gracefully in the breeze, bringing movement and a calming vibe to outdoor spaces. Clumping bamboo is also easy to maintain, thriving in various climates with minimal care. Whether planted along fences, in garden borders, or as a standalone feature, it offers a fresh aesthetic that feels both exotic and elegant. Ideal for homeowners seeking privacy and style, clumping bamboo transforms any landscape into a serene, modern retreat.
Conclusion
Incorporating fast-growing evergreen trees into your yard provides beauty, privacy, and shade in no time. Whether you need a towering Italian Cypress or a compact Arborvitae, these 15 options offer something for every landscape and design preference. Planting these trees ensures your yard stays lush and vibrant year-round, giving you the outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of. So, pick your favorites, get planting, and watch your yard transform into a green paradise.
Read next: 15 Low Growing Evergreen Shrubs for Easy Care
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the fastest-growing evergreen tree for privacy?
The Leyland Cypress and Thuja Green Giant are among the fastest-growing trees, ideal for privacy screens.
2. How tall do fast-growing evergreens get?
Some trees, like the Eastern White Pine, can reach heights of up to 80 feet, while others, like Arborvitae, stay more compact.
3. Are fast-growing evergreens high-maintenance?
Most fast-growing evergreens, like the Murray Cypress, are low-maintenance and disease-resistant.
4. Can I plant fast-growing evergreens in containers?
Yes, smaller varieties like Arborvitae or bamboo can thrive in large containers with proper care.
5. How far apart should I plant evergreen trees?
Plant trees according to their mature size—typically 5-10 feet apart for smaller varieties and 10-20 feet for larger ones.