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Trees are great for providing shade, privacy, and curb appeal, but they require significant patience — it can take years, and typically more like decades, for a young tree to grow large enough to start delivering these benefits.
However, some trees grow faster than others. Several species may even put on 2 to 3 feet of growth each year under ideal circumstances.
But you have to choose the species you plant carefully, as some fast-growing species can create serious headaches for homeowners and property managers.
We’ll try to help in this regard by identifying some of the best and worst fast-growing trees for Michigan properties.
Fast Growth Often Comes with Downsides
A few common problems associated with some fast-growing trees include:
- Weak Wood: Though there are certainly exceptions, many extremely fast-growing tree species produce relatively low-density wood that is more susceptible to breakage than the wood of many slower-growing species.
- Poor Branch Junctions: In their race to the top of the canopy, many fast-growing tree species produce narrow, V-shaped branch junctions, which are prone to failure. In some cases, these junctions even contain bark, which further weakens the union.
- Widely Spreading Root Systems: Though some fast-growing species actually produce relatively small root systems that have trouble supporting the tree, others produce root systems that spread aggressively and potentially damage hardscapes or utility lines.
- Large Eventual Size: Although there are several small tree species that grow quickly, the majority of fast-growing trees eventually become massive. This can create problems for those with small properties and tight planting spaces.
- High Sun Exposure Requirements: A handful of shade-tolerant trees have semi-rapid growth rates, but as a general trend, fast-growing trees tend to be pioneer species. That means they’ve evolved to grow on sites that have more sun exposure than many properties can offer.
However, some fast-growing species sidestep these issues and make good choices for residential or commercial properties.
Seven Fast-Growing Trees You Can Consider Planting
Provided that you have enough room to accommodate their full mature size and the right type of soil and sun exposure, the following seven species are fast-growing trees worthy of serious consideration for homeowners and property managers in Southeast Michigan.
1. Tuliptrees
Known to arborists as Liriodendron tulipifera, the tuliptree is a massive, early succession species that routinely exceeds 100 feet in height. Native to large portions of the eastern United States, the tuliptree requires plenty of water, but it will not tolerate perpetually damp soil.
2. Eastern White Pines
One of the largest tree species native to the eastern U.S., the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is capable of reaching massive sizes. It grows relatively slowly for the first two or three years of its life, but its growth rate increases sharply after this period, with some trees putting on 3 feet per year.
3. River Birch
Beloved for its exfoliating bark, the river birch (Betula nigra) grows about 2 feet or so per year. It typically reaches about 40 feet in height, though some specimens may exceed 70. The river birch is a wonderful shade tree, but its spreading root system can create conflicts with pavement and other infrastructure.
4. Red Maple
One of the best all-around species for Michigan properties, the red maple (Acer rubrum) tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions and is capable of thriving in residential lots and commercial properties alike. Capable of reaching 60 feet in height or more, some red maples add 2 feet of growth per year.
5. American Sycamore
A visually striking tree, the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) often reaches 100 feet in height or more. Most importantly, it does so quickly and is capable of adding at least 3 feet of growth per year. That, combined with its large leaves, makes it a great choice for those seeking quick shade.
6. Hackberry
The common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a tough species that often thrives in areas that would cause other trees to struggle — including polluted urban centers. With a trunk covered in corky ridges or warts, the hackberry offers visual interest all year and grows about 2 feet each year.
7. Kentucky Coffeetree
Another species capable of thriving on challenging sites, the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is notable for its exceptionally large compound leaves, which may reach 3 feet in length. Capable of adding 2 feet of growth each year, this deciduous species may remain bare for six months of the year.
Fast-Growing Trees You Should Generally Avoid
Unfortunately, while the following seven species grow very quickly, they tend to present challenges that often make them poor candidates for most residential and commercial settings. That doesn’t mean these are “bad” trees (though one is close), but they are better suited for wild areas and wide-open properties.
1. Silver Maple
The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of the fastest-growing trees native to the eastern U.S. — some individuals may put on 6 feet of height per year in ideal conditions. However, it often develops codominant branch junctions and has relatively weak wood, which can make it susceptible to failure.
2. Eastern Cottonwood
Another absurdly fast-growing species, the eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) may put on 10 feet of new growth each year in exceptional cases. But like the silver maple, the eastern cottonwood is weak-wooded, which is not the kind of risk you want to take with a tree that may exceed 100 feet in height.
3. Quaking Aspen
A close cousin of the eastern cottonwood, the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) also grows quickly, with some trees adding more than 3 feet of height each year. The problem with quaking aspens is their tendency to produce an abundance of new stems from the roots, turning a single tree into an entire grove.
4. Black Willow
Like several other trees mentioned here, the black willow (Salix nigra) is a fast-growing tree that produces very weak wood, increasing the chances of a limb dropping on a home, commercial property, or person. It also produces a shallow and wide-spreading root system that may cause infrastructure conflicts.
5. Bradford (Callery) Pear
The only species on our list that’s arguably a “bad tree,” the Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) does grow quickly. However, it’s horribly invasive, covered in terrible-smelling flowers each spring, and prone to developing very poor structure. In fact, it will become illegal for Michiganders to plant in 2028.
6. Weeping Willow
Famous for its cascading foliage, the weeping willow (Salix babylonica) can certainly become the focal point for many properties. However, it suffers from many of the same problems other willow-family trees do, including weak wood and shallow, wide-spreading root systems that may cause problems.
7. Siberian Elm
The Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) does offer value in some situations, as it is both fast-growing and capable of living in marginal sites. However, it produces brittle wood, often has poor structure, and is considered invasive in Michigan, spreading rapidly thanks to the prolific number of seeds it produces.
Fast-Growing Michigan Trees: FAQ
Choosing a good fast-growing tree for your property can leave you with more questions than answers. We’ll try to help by answering some of the most common questions our clients have below.
What is the fastest-growing tree in Michigan?
Eastern cottonwoods are among the fastest-growing trees in Michigan and may add several feet of height in a single growing season under ideal conditions. However, because they eventually reach enormous sizes and have relatively weak wood, they’re generally best suited for large, open spaces.
What is the fastest-growing shade tree for Michigan yards?
Tuliptrees, red maples, American sycamores, and river birches are all relatively fast-growing trees that can provide significant shade as they mature. The best choice will depend on the amount of space you have available and the soil, moisture, and sunlight conditions on your property.
What is the fastest-growing evergreen tree for Michigan?
Eastern white pine is one of the best fast-growing evergreen trees for many Michigan properties. Once established, young trees can grow several feet per year under favorable conditions.
How can I make a newly planted tree grow faster?
The best way to encourage rapid tree growth is to select a species that’s well suited to your property and provide proper care after planting. Adequate water is especially important during the establishment period, while proper mulching can help conserve soil moisture and protect the root system.
Do fast-growing trees have weaker wood?
Some do, but fast growth does not automatically mean a tree will have weak wood. Growth rate is only one factor affecting wood strength, and plenty of relatively fast-growing species can make excellent landscape trees.
How close to my house can I plant a fast-growing tree?
It depends on the species and its mature size. Large trees generally need considerably more room than small ornamental trees, not only for their roots but also for their expanding trunks and canopies.
Are native trees always better choices for Michigan yards?
Native trees often offer significant benefits, including providing food and habitat for local wildlife.
However, being native doesn’t automatically make a species suitable for every property. Eastern cottonwoods, black willows, and quaking aspens are all native to Michigan, yet their eventual size, growth habits, or structural characteristics can make them poor choices for some properties.
Give Your New Trees the Support They Need
No matter which fast-growing trees you decide to install, it’s important that you give them the ongoing care they need to reach their full potential. The Treemendous Tree Care team provides a comprehensive array of tree-care services, from trimming and pruning to pest identification and treatment.
Contact us today to schedule your free onsite evaluation and enjoy the confidence of knowing your trees are in the best possible hands.
Sources and References
- USDA Forest Service – “Black Willow (Silvics of North America)”
Federal silvics manual entry on black willow (Salix nigra), detailing its habitat, growth characteristics, and ecological role in North American floodplain forests.
https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/black-willow - MSU Extension – “Tulip Tree”
Extension species profile of tulip tree / tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), covering identification, growth habit, and use as a landscape and shade tree.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/tulip_tree - MSU Extension – “Kentucky Coffeetree”
Extension species profile of Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), covering identification, growth characteristics, and its value as a tough, adaptable landscape tree.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/kentucky_coffeetree - National Park Service – “Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)”
NPS species profile of eastern white pine, describing its identification, historic significance, and ecological role within national park landscapes.
https://www.nps.gov/places/eastern-white-pine-pinus-strobus.htm - Arbor Day Foundation – “Hackberry”
Tree guide profile of hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), covering its identification, corky bark, dark red drupes, and tolerance for wind, pollution, heat, drought, and salt.
https://shop.arborday.org/treeguide/303 - Michigan Invasive Species Program – “Callery Pear”
State watch-list profile of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), covering its invasive spread through bird-dispersed seed, thorny thicket formation, and Michigan’s response and reporting guidance.
https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/plants/trees/callery-pear - MoreLeaf – “Tree of the Week: Eastern Cottonwood”
Species profile of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), covering its identification, rapid growth, riparian habitat, and ecological value.
https://moreleaf.org/tree-of-the-week-eastern-cottonwood/
