Can’t Wait for Shade? Try These 4 Fast-Growing Shade Trees for Missouri

In a world of instant results, waiting years for a tree to mature can feel like a lifetime. Fortunately, some trees grow fast and start delivering shade and beauty much sooner than you’d expect. If you’re looking to add value, comfort, and curb appeal to your Missouri landscape without the long wait, these popular fast-growing shade trees are worth considering.

Key Takeaways

• Eastern cottonwood trees grow extremely fast in Missouri (up to 50 feet in six years) but require large yards due to their brittle wood and aggressive roots.
• Sycamores grow over two feet yearly with impressive canopies that attract wildlife, though they need space from structures and are susceptible to anthracnose disease.
• Pin oak offers faster growth than other oak varieties with glossy green summer foliage that turns deep red in fall, but requires protection from oak wilt through winter pruning and preventive treatments.
• River birch features attractive peeling bark revealing red inner layers for year-round interest, grows quickly in wet conditions, and resists bronze birch borer but struggles in drought or in places with insufficient sunlight.

4 Fast-Growing Shade Trees for Your Missouri Yard

Shade trees offer a wide range of benefits for your St. Louis or St. Charles County property – from lowering energy bills to boosting curb appeal. But many popular varieties grow slowly, making you wait years before you see the full payoff.

If you’re eager to start enjoying those benefits sooner, choose one of these fast-growing shade trees for your property.

1. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

When looking for a shade tree that grows as fast as possible in Missouri, the eastern cottonwood should be one of the first things you think of. It is the fastest-growing tree native to Missouri and can grow up to 50 feet in height in ideal conditions in six years. While it may not reach this growth rate in your yard, it will give you a tall shade tree in a fraction of the time of other species.

The eastern cottonwood is a typical sight around Missouri rivers and is adaptable to various conditions. The tree can handle moderate drought and thrive in multiple soil pH balances. However, the tree does best when you have a moist and well-drained soil to simulate the environment in which it naturally grows.

Though the tree is perfect for bringing shade fast, this growth comes with a drawback. The wood is notoriously brittle, and the roots tend to be very aggressive in spreading for sources of water and nutrients. Cottonwoods are also susceptible to several common tree pests, making preventive treatments and consistent vigilance vital. They also tend to only live for around 75 years.

If you intend to plant a cottonwood, ensure you have a large yard and can keep it away from structures. While it may thrive in a more rural area, like St. Paul, we don’t recommend cottonwoods in downtown St. Louis.

Eastern Cottonwood Fast Facts

• Mature Height: 50-80 feet
• Mature Width: 35-60 feet
• Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soil
• Daily Sunlight: Full sun (6 hours)

2. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

Sycamores are some of Missouri’s most popular landscape trees – and for good reason. These easy-to-grow trees have a stately look due to their large trunk and wide canopies. They are also fast-growing, with many specimens gaining over two feet yearly.

Sycamores offer more than just shade and added property value – they also support local wildlife. These trees attract birds and small mammals, providing a place to rest, nest, and find shelter. Sycamores grow with a single, sturdy trunk and are known for their distinctive peeling bark. In spring, they produce small, ball-shaped seed clusters that dangle from the branches.

Like the cottonwood, sycamores require some distance from structures, as they can have aggressive roots that could exploit weaknesses in your home’s foundation or underground utilities. Sycamores are also especially susceptible to some diseases, most notably anthracnose. This disease will damage the leaves and harm a tree’s aesthetics.

Sycamore Fast Facts

• Mature Height: 75-100 feet
• Mature Width: 75-100 feet
• Soil Preference: Alkaline and wet soil
• Daily Sunlight: Full sun (6 hours) or partial sun (4-6 hours)

3. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)

Compared to more recognizable oaks like the white oak, the pin oak is a much faster-growing tree. Due to its fast growth and impressive aesthetics, the pin oak has been a favorite choice of many homeowners for their landscape.

Planting a pin oak will benefit Missouri’s ecosystem, as many birds and mammals use its acorns for food (though they won’t produce them until they reach around 20 years old). Its leaves will stand out from your other trees, as they are a beautiful deep green and glossy in the summer and turn to a deep red in the fall.

Despite their popularity, pin oaks face numerous threats that can potentially kill them. The most pressing concern is oak wilt, a disease responsible for killing oak trees throughout the country.

To keep your pin oak safe from oak wilt, prune it in the winter rather than in the summer and have an arborist perform preventive fungicide injections.

Pin Oak Fast Facts

• Mature Height: 50-70 feet
• Mature Width: 40-60 feet
• Soil Preference: Acidic and wet soil
• Daily Sunlight: Full sun (6 hours)

4. River Birch (Betula nigra)

The river birch is a fast-growing tree with some of the most beautiful bark you will find. The bark will peel and reveal a gorgeous red inner bark that gives it interest throughout the year, which isn’t always true of deciduous trees in the winter.

As the name implies, the river birch thrives in wet conditions and is a common sight near streams. Despite its growth near water, it cannot tolerate long periods of flooding, so be sure your soil is wet and well-drained before planting a river birch. It is also resistant to the bronze birch borer, something that isn’t true of many other birch species.

Despite a natural resistance to a dangerous pest, the river birch does have some conditions in which it won’t thrive. They do not tolerate drought or particularly hot and dry summers. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure they get adequate sunlight, as these trees have difficulty growing without at least 6 hours a day.

River Birch Fast Facts

• Mature Height: 40-70 feet
• Mature Width: 40-60 feet
• Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soil
• Daily Sunlight: Full sun (6 hours)

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Shade Trees

Planning what tree to plant is only the start of the process. To help you better understand what you need to do to care for your fast-growing shade tree and pick the right one, we’ve answered some common questions homeowners have about them.

Do fast-growing trees have weak wood?

Yes, in many cases, fast-growing trees have weaker wood than those that grow at slower rates. This is why some homeowners may avoid the trees and go with a different species with a sturdier structure.

Do fast-growing trees have shorter lifespans than other trees?

Yes, in most cases tree’s that grow very quickly will have shorter lifespans, though there are some fast-growing trees that live longer lives. Consider planting a slow-growing tree along with a fast-growing one to offset the shorter lifespan.

How far out should I plant a fast-growing tree from a structure?

While every tree is different, the general rule of thumb is at least 30 feet for large trees. You may want to increase this distance for trees with more aggressive and expansive root systems, like cottonwoods or sycamores. If you aren’t sure how far to plant your tree from a structure, consult an arborist first.

What are some alternatives other than fast-growing trees to grow in Missouri?

There are many other options for your Missouri landscape other than fast-growing shade trees. You may choose ornamental trees that provide flowers in the spring or evergreens to act as natural barriers. Some other species we recommend include:

• Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida)
• Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Red maple (Acer rubrum)
• Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
• Short-leaf pine (Pinus echinata)

Found the Right Tree? Let Mathias Precision Help You Keep It Thriving

Whether you plan to plant a fast-growing shade tree or some other species, there’s a lot of work that goes into keeping a young sapling alive. If you aren’t sure what to do for your trees or need help with them, the experienced team at Mathias Precision can help.

We offer pruning, fertilization, insect treatments, and more that help keep your young tree healthy and growing. If your newly planted sapling isn’t looking as good as you’d hope, our team can help. Call us today at 314-322-7690 or request an estimate online.