10 Fast-Growing Shade Trees That Will Cool Down Your Yard ASAP

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Shade trees enhance curb appeal while providing a beautiful foliage canopy of shade to your yard. They make enduring the summer heat more enjoyable by offering a cool relief. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, shade trees can reduce the surrounding air temperatures by about 6 degrees Fahrenheit, making summer heat a bit more enjoyable.

If you're considering adding a shade tree to your yard, choose one that will allow you to enjoy the benefits sooner. Some varieties take decades to mature, while others grow relatively quickly. Fast-growing shade trees typically grow a few feet each year, reaching maturity sooner. Here we share some expert-approved shade tree options to consider before planting one in your yard to enjoy.

Blake Watkins, a master arborist and operations partner at Monster Tree Service, a company that provides local tree services, including plant management, tree pruning, and stump removal.
Kate Walz, a gardening expert with KW Gardens & Flowers, which offers garden consultations, coaching, and design suggestions to help people create their dream gardens.
George Pisegna, chief horticulturist at the New York Horticultural Society, a non-profit organization that creates green spaces in neighborhoods throughout New York.

01 of 10

Sycamore

There are several sycamore species within this beautiful genus, including the American sycamore that's native to the East Coast, the heat-resistant Arizona sycamore, and the internationally popular hybrid London plane tree.

"All of these species feature the impressive mottled or peeling bark that becomes smooth and white in the upper trunk and canopy," says Blake Watkins, a master arborist and operations partner at Monster Tree Service. "Pick a species native to your area to delight your local insects and birds."

Zones: 4 to 9
Growth rate: 2 feet per year
Mature size: 50 to 100 feet tall x 20 to 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining soil

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02 of 10

River Birch

Native to North America, the river birch tree (Betula nigra) puts on a beautiful show during all four seasons. "Bright green leaves on semi-arching branches appear in the spring, followed by long, dangling seed pods in early summer," says Kate Walz, a gardening expert with KW Gardens & Flowers. "In the fall, the leaves turn a striking shade of yellow, and after they drop, the unique exfoliating bark on the trunk is revealed—which provides ornamental interest during the winter."

As the name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along riverbanks and wet areas in the United States. However, this tree can tolerate a variety of soil conditions in the landscape. Often grown as a multi-stemmed tree, its spreading limbs provide an overall pyramidal to oval shape.

Zones: 4 to 9
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
Mature size: 30 to 70 feet tall x 40 to 60 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining soil

03 of 10

Bald Cypress

The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer and is special because it's the only conifer that sheds its needles in the fall. (That's how it got its name.) It also produces nice shade when full of foliage and has a high tolerance to air pollution and less-than-ideal soil conditions.

"Its versatility has helped it become a successful tree in the country to the urban environment," says George Pisegna, chief horticulturist at the New York Horticultural Society. "This tree is very durable and adaptable. The needles start out chartreuse green to a light green in the summer, turning orange in the fall."

Zones: 4 to 10
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
Mature size: 50 to 70 feet tall x 20 to 30 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

04 of 10

Palo Verde

Speaking of fast-growing shade trees that can tolerate extreme conditions: The palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) is a desert native that produces an incredible show every spring via a burst of tiny yellow blooms. These flowers are so dense that they provide nice shade. When not blooming, the lush green leaves step in to provide respite from the desert sun. In the winter, when temperatures are cooler and days are shorter, it drops its leaves and becomes bare.

Zones: 8 to 10
Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 20 to 25 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 10

Tulip Tree

As you may have guessed, the tulip tree (Liriodendron) gets its name because it produces blossoms that closely resemble springtime tulips. These buds are aromatic and are a golden-green hue ringed with vibrant orange. "The tulip tree, a member of the magnolia family, is one of the largest native trees in North America," says Walz. "Tulip trees are also the host plant for tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies."

Zones: 4 to 9
Growth rate: 2 to 4 feet per year
Mature size: 70 to 90 feet tall x 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; moist, well-draining soil

06 of 10

Weeping Willow

Though its name might sound sad, the beauty of this elegant tree is anything but. The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) features slender green and silver leaves that droop downward to create a cavern-like effect that's perfect for reading a good book, chatting with a friend, or enjoying a picnic under. It has a romantic, almost storybook appearance and thrives best at the water's edge.

Zones: 4 to 10
Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining sandy or clay soil

07 of 10

Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja Green Giant (standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') is a large, fast-growing conifer that sports dense, dark green foliage. It takes on a pyramid shape via its flat splays and stays green throughout the year. "Thuja 'Green Giant' can quickly provide a lush, dense privacy screen that looks great all year round," says Walz. "It requires little or no pruning but can easily be sheared if necessary."

Zones: 6 to 8
Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year
Mature size: 50 to 60 feet tall x 12 to 20 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

08 of 10

Red Maple

The red maple (Acer rubrum) is indigenous to the eastern United States, though it has spread in popularity across a great portion of the country. "The red maple is used in landscapes for its brilliant fall foliage," Pisegna says. "In the spring, this tree sports red male flowers and red samaras on female trees. Red maple leaves, twigs, and fruits provide a food source for many insects, birds, and mammals.”

Zones: 3 to 9
Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
Mature size: 60 to 90 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

09 of 10

Ficus

The magnificent ficus tree (Ficus benjamina) grows at an incredibly fast rate and produces a dense display of glossy, dark green foliage. It provides not just wonderful shade but a haven for local birds who are happy to rest on its branches out of the sun's reach. Because of how quickly they grow, it's important to be strategic when planting this tree; its roots can stretch far.

Zones: 7 to 11
Growth rate: 1 to 3 feet per year
Mature size: 50 to 60 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; and well-draining soil

10 of 10

American Elm

The American elm (Ulmus americana) is native to the eastern United States and provides an elegant, umbrella-shaped canopy and a crown of leaves that cast dense shade. "This is an iconic American tree with large specimens still present in Central Park and along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.," Watkins says. "Disease-resistant cultivars are sold in nurseries, making it possible to grow a piece of American history in your backyard."