5 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Provide Abundant Shade in Record Time
Evergreens are prized for their year-round greenery and texture, but they can also provide shade for your yard. The evergreen family extends beyond conifers and includes any tree that keeps its green foliage, as opposed to a deciduous tree, which loses its leaves in autumn. Depending on where you live, you can choose between magnificent oaks, tall pines, and hardy magnolias—all of which will help keep your garden shielded from the sun.
Here, we asked arborists to share their top picks for fast-growing evergreens that can also provide plenty of shade. In just a few short years, you’ll have both a beautiful—and functional—backyard tree.
Shamel Ash
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If you live in the southwestern United States, a Shamel ash (Fraxinus uhdei) is perfect for your backyard. The tree’s smooth bark and dark green foliage provide a nice contrast, says Stephanie Lemrise, an ISA-certified arborist for Moon Valley Nurseries.
Shamel ash has a long life expectancy when maintained correctly and is widely adaptable to multiple soil profiles, making it easy to plant—even if you live in an area with challenging soil contents.
- Zones: 9 to 10
- Mature Size: 50 to 80 feet tall
- Care requirements: Well-draining soil, regular watering
Oak
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Not all oaks keep their leaves, but a few, like quercus acuta, quercus virginiana, or quercus glauca, will stay green through the winter and provide tremendous amounts of shade. Generally speaking, they’ll grow faster if it’s warmer where you live. “Oaks are easy to maintain, have a long life expectancy, and a natural resistance to many fungal and bug infestations,” adds Lemrise.
- Zones: 5 to 8
- Mature Size: 50 to 70 feet tall
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; acidic, well-draining soil
Southern Magnolia
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The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), is everyone’s favorite large, broad-leafed evergreen; it even gets beautiful white, fragrant flowers in the summer. Luckily, it’s also fast-growing and easy to establish, according to Lisa Tadewaldt, an ISA-certified arborist and owner of Urban Forest Pro.
“The one big advantage for gardeners is that the tree will not change the pH of the soil the way a lot of evergreen needles will,” she says. This means you can plant Southern magnolias closer to the garden without the tree ruining the soil for surrounding plants.
- Zones: 6 to 10
- Mature Size: 60 to 80 feet tall
- Care requirements: Well-draining, acidic soil; regular watering
Norway Spruce
If you want to add some height to your yard, then consider the Norway spruce (Picea abies), which can reach upwards of 70 feet. The tree grows very quickly, adding at least 2 to 3 feet per year—sometimes five when given ideal conditions.
“It is a low-maintenance tree, tolerating drought, pollution, and extreme cold,” says Mason Hanrahan, founder of Tim-O-Tree. “It grows best in moist soils with high pH, like any conifer.” However, he adds that you have to be careful where you plant it, as this tree needs a lot of space. “The roots are also very shallow and aggressive,” he says. “They are notorious for damaging interlock and retaining walls.”
- Zones: 3 to 7
- Mature Size: 40 to 70 feet tall
- Care requirements: Well-draining, acidic soil; regular watering
Arborvitae
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a fast-growing native tree that’s easy to establish and inexpensive. However, Tadewaldt says that arborvitae can be a challenge to keep healthy. “They are disease-prone, have weak structures, and are shorter-lived than most trees,” she adds. Still, Hanrahan says that their fast growth makes them a good option for shade, especially if you’re looking for a quicker fix.
- Zones: 3 to 7
- Mature Size: 40 to 60 feet tall
- Care requirements: Well-draining, acidic soil; regular watering
