by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
As the Mountain Gardener, I often hear folks asking for trees that grow fast. You want shade, privacy, and beauty, and you want it sooner rather than later. Good news, gardeners, there are plenty of excellent, quick-growing trees that thrive here in our mountain climate. Here are my top ten picks for trees that will give you a quick landscape transformation:
Prescott Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii) This is one of my all-time favorites, and for a good reason. The Prescott Blaze Maple is a cross between the fast-growing Silver Maple and the brilliantly colored Red Maple. It puts on 3 feet or more of growth each year and delivers a show-stopping, long-lasting red fall color that genuinely lives up to its name.
Aspen (Populus tremuloides) For those looking for a touch of mountain majesty, the Quaking Aspen is a great choice. While they prefer higher elevations, they can still do well here in Prescott if given consistent moisture. They grow in clumps, and their distinctive white bark is beautiful year-round. Their leaves flutter in the slightest breeze, and in autumn, they turn a magnificent golden yellow.
Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a fantastic shade tree that grows at a good clip, often several feet per year. They are hardy and adaptable to a wide range of soils. Beyond their fast growth, they offer deep green summer foliage that turns a lovely red-brown in the fall. They are also known for attracting wildlife.
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) If you are looking for a grand, stately tree with impressive size, the Sycamore is a strong contender. They can grow quickly, reaching 80 feet tall and 60 feet wide at maturity. Their most distinctive feature is their exfoliating bark, which peels back in jigsaw puzzle-shaped pieces to reveal creamy white inner bark.
Golden Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia') The Golden Locust is a beacon in the landscape with its brilliant lemon-yellow leaves that hold their color from spring through fall. This tree offers bright, filtered shade. It is incredibly tough, tolerating poor soils and even urban pollution, and is drought-tolerant once established.
Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana) There are many excellent varieties of Ornamental Pears, like 'Chanticleer' and 'Capital.' These trees burst into dazzling white flowers in spring, providing a spectacular show. Their thick, dark green foliage creates excellent summer shade, and they are often the last trees to turn brilliant red in autumn. They are very adaptable to our local mountain soils, growing well even in alkaline or clay conditions, and are ideal as specimen trees for lawns or lining driveways.
Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera) For striking color throughout the growing season, the Purple Leaf Plum is a winner. Its deep purple foliage contrasts beautifully with other greens in the landscape. In early spring, it produces charming, fragrant pale pink to white blossoms. This tree has a moderate to fast growth rate, typically gaining 1-2 feet per year, and is also known to be deer and javelina-resistant.
Arizona Ash (Fraxinus velutina) A native to the Southwest, the Arizona Ash is well-suited to our climate, tolerating both heat and cold. It has a moderately fast growth rate, often putting on about 2 feet per year, and forms a pyramidal shape when young, maturing to 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Its bright yellow fall color adds a lovely touch to the autumn landscape.
Purple Robe Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Similar to the Golden Locust in its hardiness, the Purple Robe Locust offers stunning, long clusters of fragrant purple flowers in May that resemble wisteria. This tree grows briskly, adding 2-3 feet per year, and is very drought-tolerant once established. It is a fantastic choice for a fast-growing, flowering shade tree.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) While some sources list Ginkgo as slow to moderate, many of the cultivars available, like 'Autumn Gold,' are considered fast-growing, adding up to 2 feet per year. These ancient trees are incredibly resilient and virtually pest and disease-free. Their unique fan-shaped leaves turn a spectacular, pure golden yellow in the fall. Be sure to choose a male cultivar to avoid the messy fruit produced by female trees.
When planting any of these fast-growing beauties, remember that proper planting and care are crucial for their long-term health and vigor. Dig a wide hole, enrich your native soil with Watters Premium Mulch, and use Watters "Root & Grow" at planting to reduce transplant shock. Consistent watering, especially during the establishment phase, helps these trees reach their full potential quickly.
Want to learn more about the best trees for our local climate? Join us for our free garden classes!
Free Garden Classes Every Saturday at Watters Garden Center
Join us every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM for our free garden classes right here at Watters Garden Center on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. August is packed with valuable insights to help your garden thrive!
Summer Class Schedule Highlights:
· Fast Growing Trees for Quick Landscapes: August 2 - This class covers exactly what we discussed here, focusing on trees that provide quick shade and establish rapidly. It's happening soon!
· Bug Free Blooms for Stunning Gardens: August 9
· Hot Weather Blooms for Vibrant Prescott Gardens: August 16
· From Newbie to Garden Pro in Arizona: August 23
· Best Plants for Pollinators in Prescott: August 30
You can view the full event schedule and details at Watters Garden Center. We look forward to seeing you in class again!
Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners grow fast trees here at Watters Garden Center.
