Are there certain parts of your house that get incredibly hot during the day?
Do you find yourself needing a shady spot in your yard?
Well, I’m right there with you. The backside of my home gets so much sun that my living room could literally make you sweat. Which is what has led me to our topic of discussion.
So I am bringing you a list of some of fast growing shade trees that could potentially work for your area. Hopefully, this list will help bring some permanent relief to an extremely heated situation.
Fast Growing Shade Trees:
1. Hybrid Poplar
Growing up, I’d see a lot of these in subdivisions. They are quite beautiful to look at and provide lots of nice shade.
Plus, these trees really add a lot of color to your lawn. They start off a bright green during the warmer months, and then slowly transition to a golden color when autumn arrives.
2. American Red Maple
These trees are absolutely gorgeous. When you see one, you know because of how their beautiful colors stand out against any backdrop.
So if you’d like a shade tree that grows quickly, then you should consider this Red Maple. It has the most gorgeous red leaves that absolutely make this tree pop out.
3. Sawtooth Oak
This tree is used on the cover of a lot of children’s books. It looks like a very familiar tree which might make your home feel a little more welcoming to some.
But this tree has oblong shaped leaves which is why it is called a ‘sawtooth’ oak. If you want some shade and a little homey décor touch simultaneously, then you might want to use this tree for your shade.
4. Royal Empress
This is another tree that will absolutely take your breath it is so gorgeous. It has the height and the foliage needed by a shade tree.
But this shade tree develops gorgeous purple leaves. It definitely looks royal, in my opinion, and it would add a lot of beauty to any yard.
5. Sycamore
Every time I hear the words sycamore tree I think of a song I sang as a child about Zacchaeus who climbed up in a sycamore tree.
But I digress, this tree looks to provide ample amount of shade. Also, from my research on the internet, it seems to be rather inexpensive to purchase one of these trees.
6. Pin Oak
These trees come in different color varieties. You can buy one version where it is your typical green tree, which a lot of people might prefer.
Then you can purchase varieties where the leaves can be purple or red. I love lots of color in my yard, but this could be a good shade variety regardless of preference.
7. Weeping Willow
I’m a huge fan of weeping willows. They provide lots of good shade, but they also provide a little country feel to any yard.
Actually, my mother in law had one in her yard, and it was a gorgeous tree. All of the grandkids loved playing under it because the branches and leaves made a great place to hide.
8. Fan-Tex Ash
If you live in a colder climate, then this tree could be what you’ve been looking for. It is zoned for areas 7 through 11.
So as long as your temperatures stay above zero degrees Fahrenheit, then you are good to go. Plus, this tree grows to about 35-40 feet in height as well.
9. American Elm
This tree is another classic. The elm tree grows to be about 40 feet or greater in height. What is interesting about the elm tree is that it once was the most prominent tree planted along streets in the United States.
But Dutch elm disease made its way to the United States in the 1950’s and wiped out a lot of them. Now cities plant a variety of trees so they don’t lose them all in one clean swipe like they did with the elm tree.
10. Silver Maple
This tree grows to be a very large tree. It commonly reaches anywhere from 50-80 feet in height. Which makes it great for a shade tree.
But it also adds a splash of color because the leaves have a silver shade on the bottom of them. So every time the wind blows the leaves look shimmery.
11. Cleveland Pear
These pear trees are another gorgeous option for a shade tree. We actually had these line our driveway when I was growing up, and they provided a lot of shade.
So if you are looking for a decorative tree that will provide shade, then you might want to consider these flowering trees. The gorgeous white color of the tree really makes it stand out.
12. Mimosa
via Wholesale Nursery Co.
These trees are absolutely gorgeous too. They begin like any ordinary tree with a trunk and some green leaves.
Then the tree actually blooms. It has beautiful pink flowers stand out from the tree that really adds a lot of life anywhere the tree is planted.
13. October Glory Red Maple
This looks very similar to the red maple tree. It has the bright orangey red leaves on the tree. It is also a larger tree and fast growing like the original red maple.
But this tree is also known for being extremely low maintenance. So if you are wanting something that will take care of itself, then you might want to consider this tree as an option for the perfect shade tree.
14. Pink Dogwood
I love dogwood trees. They are a smaller shade tree that is really cute just to look at because of their petite frame.
But this dogwood is a little different as the flowers on it are pink. This will definitely add some color to your yard as well as shade.
15. Chinese Pistache
This tree has a lot of history to it. It is great for growing in rough or dry climates. They use it a lot in urban areas.
But this tree is also known for being ugly in the beginning. As it grows it goes through an ‘awkward’ phase where it is misshapen. Then it blooms into this beautifully rounded tree.
16. Northern Red Oak
Do you want a tree that will be vibrant most of the year? If so, then you need to consider this tree for your shade tree. It grows really well in most conditions, even urban conditions.
But it adds a lot of color to your yard as well. During the warmer months, its leaves are a beautiful green color. Then when fall hits the leaves turn a vibrant red.
17. Dawn Redwood
This tree can grow to be a really big tree. There is actually one in Virginia at the moment that has reached 120 feet in only a 30-year time period.
Besides the fact that it is large, it is also a really old type of tree. It was around with the dinosaurs. Clearly, it is also resourceful because at one point many thought this tree to be extinct. When in reality it was just busy growing in the mountains of China. Needless to say, once rediscovered, it made a come-back.
18. White Kousa Dogwood
I actually have a few of these in my yard right now. I live in the woods, and they just grew there naturally.
So I can tell you first hand, these little trees will provide shade and a great place to enjoy how beautiful nature is. Because this tree is really adorable.
19. Corkscrew Willow
This willow tree is a little different than the traditional willow tree because of the base of its trunk. In a typical willow tree, the trunk is just straight up and down.
Well, with a corkscrew willow tree, the trunk is twisted. It adds a little something extra to the tree while still providing the same beautiful foliage.
20. Northern Catalpa
This tree is one that will definitely become a show-stopper right in your own yard. It has a twisted tree trunk that is absolutely gorgeous.
But it also has large leaves on it that have dangling pods that hang from them. Then you really have to take notice at the white flowers that bloom from the tree as well.
21. Drake Elm Tree
If you like the elm tree but are afraid it is going to be too much of a tree for you, then you might want to consider the Drake elm tree.
The reason is that it doesn’t grow quite as large. Instead, it has a canopy that develops and droops back down. It is really very pretty.
22. Crimson King Maple
This maple tree tells you exactly what it is with its name. Simply put, it looks like a traditional maple tree only with different colors.
And the colors are what really make this tree pop. It has beautiful crimson colored leaves. They are sure to make your yard light up.
23. Sugar Maple
If you’ve ever seen a maple tree made note of in a book or anywhere like that, then this is probably what you’ve seen.
So this tree is beautiful with its vibrant leaves, but it also makes wonderful lumber and delicious syrup too.
24. Tulip Poplar
This tree is one that is truly breathtaking. It not only gives you plenty of shade and fast, but it also adds a lot of colors wherever it stands.
But what really sets this tree apart, in my opinion, is the fact that it has these little tulip-shaped flowers that bloom on it. They are really gorgeous.
25. Fruitless Mulberry
This little tree is ideal. The mulberry tree was once a great shade tree, but the mulberries made such a mess that people didn’t want to grow it any longer.
So then the fruitless variety became available, and it is loved. This tree grows to be between 20-60 feet tall, and it has a dense canopy that can grow to about 40 feet wide. It would definitely have you covered with shade.
26. Hydrangea
I’m sure we’ve all seen a hydrangea bush, but maybe not everyone knew that there was a hydrangea tree.
Well, this tree produces the same beautiful flowers as a hydrangea bush does. Only it grows taller, making it a great petite shade tree.
27. Leyland Cypress
My parents have these in their yard to create a natural fence line between them and their neighbors. They also provide a lot of good shade to their side yard.
So if you would like a more basic evergreen tree to provide coverage in your yard, then you might want to consider something a little more simple like the Leyland Cypress which is one of the best fast growing shade trees.
28. Black Gum
I smile every time I see one of these trees because my grandparents had three of these in their yard. They had 2 in their front yard and one in their backyard.
And they do provide excellent shade. The only thing I remember negative about them is my grandmother complained because they dropped ‘gumballs’ in her yard. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized it wasn’t candy she was talking about.
29. Mountain Ash
This is a great shade tree if you live in a colder climate. It is also a great choice if you love birds. The reason is that the tree not only has an array of beautiful colors and beautiful flowers, but it also has groups of berries that fill the tree.
So naturally, this causes all kinds of birds to come from miles around to enjoy the berries that form on the tree. Which makes it a great shade tree for bird watchers.
30. Autumn Cherry
This is a beautiful tree. It is a more petite tree, which would make it a good choice for shade and decoration in a smaller yard.
But this tree also blooms twice. You get beautiful blooms in the spring and fall. Plus, it is also a cold hardy tree which means it can be enjoyed in most locations.
31. Canadian Hemlock
The Canadian Hemlock is another very common tree. Growing up in Kentucky I saw a lot of these planted in subdivisions.
Actually, there was a family down the road that planted a different size of this tree to represent each member of their family. They are evergreen trees so it was a really cute idea and gave their yard quite a bit of decoration all year round with very little effort.
32. Heritage River Birch
This tree originally grew wild along riverbanks. Now, it has been transformed into quite the landscaping tree.
But what might stick out the most is its curling bark. It looks really unique, and it also has sprawling tree branches which provide lots of shade.
33. Shumard Oak
The Shumard Oark is another excellent example of fast growing shade trees. If you live in a more urban setting, then you might be limited to what trees will actually grow there because of the difference in air quality, soil quality, and drainage.
Which is why you should consider this oak tree for shade. It has adapted and is able to grow quite well in those conditions.
34. Green Ash
This is the elm tree’s replacement. It provides a lot of beauty, fast growth, and shade. Yet, it is resistant to a lot of diseases that the elm tree was not.
So now, this is the tree you see planted along a lot of streets. Especially since it is able to grow in a variety of soil conditions.
Well, now you have over 30 different fast growing shade trees to help beat the heat in your home this summer.
