The very fastest-growing trees in the world are mostly tropical species grown for timber or biomass, but many temperate trees also grow extremely fast in gardens and yards.

What Are The Fastest Growing Trees?

Quick Scoop

If you’re asking “what are the fastest growing trees,” the answer depends on:

  • Climate (tropical vs temperate).
  • Purpose (timber, privacy screen, shade, ornamental).
  • Timeframe (first 1–3 years vs long-term average).

Broadly:

  • Some tropical trees can grow close to 1 meter (3+ feet) or more per year.
  • Many popular landscape trees grow 3–8 feet per year in their youth.

World-Record Sprinters (Global)

These are “extreme” fast growers, usually in warm, wet climates and often used in plantations.

  • Moluccan albizia (Falcataria moluccana)
    • Holds a record for fastest height growth, with a measured rate of about 10.74 m in 13 months in Malaysia (roughly 35 feet in just over a year).
* Frequently planted across Southeast Asia as a rapid-growth timber species.
  • Acacia (e.g., Acacia species in tropical plantations)
    • One recorded Acacia tree in Sabah, Malaysia, added around 35 feet in 13 months, about an inch of height per day.
* Thrives in tropical climates with abundant rain and nearly continuous growing seasons.

These “record” trees are not typically backyard choices unless you live in similar climates and have the space and management capacity.

Fast-Growing Temperate Shade & Feature Trees

These are commonly planted in North America and Europe when people want a big tree fast.

  • Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
    • Considered one of the fastest growing North American trees; under good conditions, it can grow roughly 10–15 feet per year for several years, then around 5 feet per year for decades.
* Suited to large, open, moist areas; not ideal for small yards because of size and brittle wood.
  • Hybrid poplars (various Populus hybrids)
    • Promoted by groups like the Arbor Day Foundation as very fast-growing shade or windbreak trees.
* Often used for quick shelterbelts or biomass; growth can be several feet per year in early stages.
  • Tulip poplar / tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
    • A very tall, straight tree in the magnolia family, known as a fast-growing flowering shade tree.
* Can grow up to about 6 feet per year and eventually reach 70+ feet tall.
  • Weeping willow (Salix × matsudana × alba hybrids)
    • Classic, graceful form combined with very rapid growth, roughly 4–8 feet per year in favorable conditions.
* Often reaches 30–40 feet tall within a relatively short period.
  • Red maple hybrids (e.g., ‘Autumn Blaze’)
    • Hybrid between silver maple and red maple, bred for fast growth and strong fall color.
* Typically grows 3–5 feet per year, reaching 15–20 feet in about three years and 40–50 feet at maturity.

Fast-Growing Privacy & Screen Trees

Many people asking “what are the fastest growing trees” really want privacy or windbreaks.

  • Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Green Giant arborvitae)
    • A very popular privacy evergreen; often grows 3–5 feet per year in USDA zones 5–9.
* Reaches around 15–20 feet in three years and matures around 30–40 feet.
  • Leyland cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii)
    • Another classic screen tree, typically growing about 3–4 feet per year in zones 6–10.
* Reaches about 15–20 feet in roughly three years and can eventually reach 40–60 feet.
  • Arborvitae and privet hedges
    • Arborvitae (including Green Giant) and privets are listed among common fast-growing hedging and screening plants by tree organizations.
* Well-suited for creating long, dense barriers for privacy or wind reduction.

Other Notable Fast Growers

  • Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
    • Famous for size, but also quite fast growing: can add about 4–6 feet of height annually for around 10 years, then around 2 feet per year for decades.
* Long-lived and massive; suitable only where there is space and appropriate climate.
  • Paulownia (Empress or foxglove tree, Paulownia tomentosa)
    • Reports indicate it can grow around 6 m (about 20 feet) in its first year under ideal conditions.
* Often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing broadleaf trees when young.
  • Bamboo (e.g., Black bamboo)
    • Not a true tree but often used like one; some bamboos, like Black Bamboo, can grow about 3–5 feet per year, reaching 15–30 feet tall.
* Spreads vigorously; best managed carefully or contained.
  • Native “quick cover” trees
    • Regional lists of fastest-growing natives often include birch, white pine, willow, and poplar as top choices for quick establishment and habitat.
* Good for creating structure and shade in young landscapes.

Simple HTML Table of Key Fast-Growing Trees

Below is an HTML table summarizing some of the most noted fast-growing species:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Tree / Plant</th>
      <th>Typical Growth Rate (youth)</th>
      <th>Approx. Mature Height</th>
      <th>Main Use</th>
      <th>Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Moluccan albizia (Falcataria moluccana)</td>
      <td>Up to ~10.7 m in 13 months (~35 ft/year) in records [web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Large timber tree</td>
      <td>Timber, plantations</td>
      <td>Extremely fast in tropical climates; record-holder for height growth. [web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Acacia (plantation species)</td>
      <td>Recorded ~35 ft in 13 months in Sabah, Malaysia [web:3]</td>
      <td>Medium–large</td>
      <td>Timber, biomass</td>
      <td>Thrives in warm, wet, tropical environments. [web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)</td>
      <td>About 10–15 ft/year for several years, then ~5 ft/year for decades [web:3]</td>
      <td>Very large</td>
      <td>Shade, windbreak</td>
      <td>Among the fastest-growing North American trees; needs space and moisture. [web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hybrid poplar (various)</td>
      <td>Several ft/year when young [web:9]</td>
      <td>Large</td>
      <td>Shade, windbreak, biomass</td>
      <td>Promoted as fast-growing landscape and shelterbelt trees. [web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Tulip poplar / tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)</td>
      <td>Up to ~6 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~70+ ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Shade, ornamental</td>
      <td>Showy spring flowers; tall straight trunk. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Weeping willow</td>
      <td>About 4–8 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~30–40 ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Shade, ornamental</td>
      <td>Graceful form, prefers moist soils. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Autumn Blaze red maple (hybrid)</td>
      <td>About 3–5 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~40–50 ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Shade, fall color</td>
      <td>Bred for fast growth and vivid autumn foliage. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Green Giant arborvitae)</td>
      <td>About 3–5 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~30–40 ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Privacy screen</td>
      <td>Very popular evergreen hedge/screen tree. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Leyland cypress</td>
      <td>About 3–4 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~40–60 ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Privacy screen, windbreak</td>
      <td>Fast-growing but can become very tall; needs periodic management. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)</td>
      <td>About 4–6 ft/year for ~10 years, then ~2 ft/year for decades [web:3]</td>
      <td>Very tall (over 200 ft in native range)</td>
      <td>Specimen, legacy tree</td>
      <td>Massive long-lived conifer; needs suitable climate. [web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Paulownia (Empress tree)</td>
      <td>Reported up to ~6 m (≈20 ft) in first year [web:1]</td>
      <td>Medium–large</td>
      <td>Ornamental, timber in some areas</td>
      <td>Huge leaves and fast juvenile growth in good conditions. [web:1]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Black bamboo</td>
      <td>About 3–5 ft/year [web:5]</td>
      <td>~15–30 ft [web:5]</td>
      <td>Screen, ornamental</td>
      <td>Technically a grass; can spread and needs management. [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

How To Choose “Fastest” For You

If you’re planning to plant one, think about:

  1. Your climate and soil
    • Check what grows well in your hardiness zone and soil type (e.g., wet vs dry, clay vs sand).
  1. Your goal
    • Privacy: Thuja ‘Green Giant’, Leyland cypress, fast-growing arborvitae or privet.
 * Shade: weeping willow, hybrid poplar, tulip poplar, fast maples.

 * Timber/biomass (large land): Moluccan albizia, acacia, poplar plantations (suitable climates only).
  1. Space and maintenance
    • Many of the fastest species get very large and can drop branches, invade pipes, or outgrow small lots.

Trending & Forum Angle

In recent years, tree-planting and “re-wilding” have become trending topics, with people often asking in forums for the fastest trees to:

  • Create instant privacy in newer housing developments.
  • Establish quick shade as summers get hotter.

Advice in those discussions usually mixes:

  • Enthusiasm for rapid species like poplars, willows, and Green Giant arborvitae.
  • Warnings about long-term issues, such as weak wood or excessive size, and encouragement to consider native species for wildlife value.

“Fast-growing” is great, but planting the right fast-growing tree for your site, climate, and long-term plans matters more than simply chasing the absolute record-holder.

TL;DR:
Some of the fastest growing trees in practical use are Moluccan albizia and certain Acacia species in the tropics, and in temperate gardens species like Eastern cottonwood, hybrid poplars, tulip poplar, weeping willow, Green Giant arborvitae, Leyland cypress, and fast hybrid maples can add several feet per year under good conditions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.