Discover the 8 Fastest-Growing Evergreen Trees

Are you looking to plant an evergreen tree for your yard or property and don’t know where to start? Perhaps you enjoy trees and want to learn what the fastest-growing evergreen trees are? In this article, we’ll tell you about the 8 fastest growing evergreen trees and all the basics you need to know to plant them!

Norway Spruce

One of the 8 fastest growing evergreen trees is the Norway Spruce. This tree has been around for thousands of years and is native to Europe. In recent years it has become trendy in the United States. Its close-knit branches and its ability to thrive in different soil types make it popular. The Norway Spruce grows up to 3 feet, or 36 inches, yearly. At its tallest, it can reach up to 60 feet.

The Norway Spruce is one of the thickest trees on this list. At its base, the widest part of the tree, it can spread up to 25 feet. It prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and produces pine cones.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Another of the 8 fastest growing evergreen trees is The Green Giant Arborvitae. These trees are known for their vivid green foliage. This foliage changes color in the winter—it either grows darker or turns a more brownish, bronze shade. Once it is settled, this tree is wind-resistant and can endure harsh weather like ice and heavy snow.

The Green Giant Arborvitae grows in a pyramidal shape and can reach up to 3 feet every year. Its full height is around 50 to 60 feet. This tree is also one of the thickest on this list. At its base, the widest part of the tree, it can spread about 12-20 feet. To get this growth, expose your Green Giant Arborvitae to at least four hours of direct sunlight daily.

Leyland Cypress

The Leyland Cypress tree is known for its slender shape. It is a popular tree because it can thrive in many different soil types and environments. Once it has grown and is established, it is drought-resistant.

The Leyland Cypress grows up to three feet yearly for a full height of up to 70 feet. It is generally about 20 feet at its base, its widest part. The bluish-green color of the foliage stays vivid throughout the year. To top it off, the Leyland Cypress is relatively low maintenance. All it needs is about 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, as well as minimal pruning.

Eastern White Pine

The Eastern White Pine is native to North America. During the Colonial era, the wood from these trees was often used to make masts on British ships. It is also the state tree of Michigan and Maine. It is popular due to its height, shape, and rapid growth.

The Eastern White Pine grows up to three feet every year. It can grow up to 80 feet tall in yards and on other properties. In the wild, however, it has been documented to grow more than 120 feet tall. It can be anywhere from 20 to 40 feet wide at its widest. It can grow in just about all soil conditions and prefers partial shade to full sun.

Thuja Green Giant

The Thuja Green Giant grows up to three feet, or 36 inches, annually for a full height of 35-40 feet. Its base is generally about 12 to 15 feet. These trees are often used as privacy hedges and grow in a slender, pyramidal shape.

This tree is drought-resistant and can withstand infestations by bugs. It can be grown, as has been known to thrive, in just about every soil variation. However, it does best in conditions with partial shade to full sun.

Italian Cypress

The Italian Cypress tree is popular as a landscaping tree because of its height and slenderness. They also tend to grow straight up instead of leaning, which makes them ideal for symmetrical designs.

These trees can grow up to three feet yearly for a full height of 45 to 60 feet. At 4-5 feet at its widest part, this tree is one of the thinnest on this list. It also keeps this slender shape on its own; no pruning is required! The Italian Cypress can grow in just about all types of soils and environments but thrives in warmer climates.

Taylor Juniper

Taylor Juniper trees are among the smallest on the list. They can reach around 30 feet tall. Every year, these trees can grow up to three feet. They are known for being tough, especially in cold climates. This makes them a great alternative to Italian Cypress trees since Italian Cypress trees don’t do very well in the cold. Both kinds of trees look strikingly similar.

Taylor Juniper trees are generally about 3-5 feet at their widest part, the tree’s base. This makes them among the thinnest trees on this list. They do well in full sun and can thrive in almost any soil type.

Murray Cypress

One of the 8 fastest growing evergreen trees on this list, the Murray Cypress, can grow up to 4 feet yearly. Its full, mature height comes in at about 30 to 40 feet. The tree’s base, and widest part, is about 10 feet.

These trees do well in extreme cold and heat and thrive in even the poorest soils. Its roots are strong, too. Once established, this tree can withstand wind and storms. In short, the Murray Cypress is a sturdy, tough tree. When planted alongside each other, these trees make a great privacy hedge!

Summary of the 8 Fastest-Growing Evergreen Trees

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ua_Biologist/Shutterstock.com