Fast-Growing Shade Trees for North Carolina

• Shade offers relief on a sunny day. Benjamin Rondel/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

  When homeowners are planting trees in the Southern state of North Carolina, one of their primary considerations is the speed with which the trees will grow and develop. Quick-growing trees with wide branching habits are a popular choice as their foliage offers shade for the yard and a cool escape from the heat of the sun. In addition to growth rate, gardeners will want to select tree varieties that are drought resistant as this will ensure continued growth and development during the hot months of summer.

The Hybrid Poplar

• The hybrid poplar is known for its rapid growth rate, advancing an average up to 5 to 8 feet per year. According to the Arbor Day website, at maturity it can reach 40 to 50 feet in height and 30 feet in width, providing ample shade for the yard and garden. When planted strategically near the home, the shade of the dense foliage can help to reduce cooling costs during the summer. A deciduous tree, the branches shed their leaves each fall, allowing the sunlight to warm the house during the winter. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, the hybrid poplar does well in full sun, is drought tolerant once established and is extremely easy to grow anywhere shade or privacy is desired.

The Autumn Blaze Maple

• According to the Hartley Soil and Water Conservation District, the autumn blaze maple is one of the fastest-growing maple trees, experiencing up to 3 feet in growth annually. When fully developed, the autumn blaze maple reaches 40 to 50 feet in height and will spread 30 to 40 feet across, making it a popular choice for shade lovers. Named for its brilliant red fall foliage, the autumn blaze maple is also notable for being easy to grow. Tolerant of most soil conditions, it is drought resistant, disease resistant and will grow in both full sun or partial shade, forming a distinctive and attractive oval shape without pruning.

The Royal Empress

• If you want almost instant growth, plant the royal empress tree. Rising an impressive 15 feet each year, the royal empress will reach its full adult height of 50 to 60 feet in an average of four years. In addition to the immediate shade the dense foliage brings, each spring the royal empress produces an abundance of eye-catching lavender flowers, filling the yard with fragrance. According to the Eco Sustainable Village website the low maintenance and easy to grow royal empress thrives in a wide variety of soil conditions and can be planted in either full or partial sun. It is drought resistant and not predisposed to diseases or insect issues.