A classic row of trees alongside your driveway can shade your vehicles and add curb appeal to your property. Because of these highly desirable traits, it’s understandable to want large trees beside your driveway as soon as possible! Here are 8 of the best fast-growing driveway trees to consider for your landscape.
1. Aspen
Aspen is one of the fastest-growing trees available. They also have a very narrow form, making them an ideal choice for lining a driveway. Aspen trees are known for their beautiful heart-shaped yellow autumn leaves.
The Quaking Aspen Tree (Populus tremuloides) can grow up to 5 feet per year in optimal conditions, eventually reaching a mature height of 40′-50′ tall. Aspens thrive in full sun planting locations and can be grown in Zones 2-7.
2. Honeylocust
Honeylocust is another fantastic fast-growing tree for a driveway area. These trees have a classic rounded canopy with dainty small leaves that create lovely dappled shade (and are easy to clean up in the fall).
The Shademaster Honeylocust Tree (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Shademaster’) is a specialty cultivar that is resistant to common pests and diseases and also thornless and seedless. This variety typically grows about 2′ each year, making them quite a fast grower for a tree with a rounded canopy.
3. Birch
Birch is a narrow fast-growing tree that works well when planted in an elegant line along a driveway. These trees are known not only for their fast growth rate but also for their ornamental bark that provides year-round interest with its unique peeling characteristic.
The Heritage® River Birch (Betula nigra ‘Cully’) is a modern variety bred to be resistant to common plant diseases and tolerant of different soil types (including clay soil). These hardy trees can grow 2′-3′ each year, making them a great choice if you’d like tall trees sooner rather than later!
4. Arborvitae
Arborvitae is a fast-growing narrow evergreen in the Cypress family that’s perfect for a private driveway. These dense columnar plants provide year-round privacy with their elegant green foliage.
The Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii ‘Green Giant’) is an extremely popular hybrid Arborvitae known for being easy to grow and maintain. These fast-growers can grow 3′-5′ tall per year!
5. Ornamental pear
Ornamental pear trees, also called Flowering Pears, are pear trees that don’t produce fruit. These trees are often planted along driveways or fencelines as they have a stately upright habit while not producing fruit that may fall and create a mess on the driveway below.
The Cleveland Pear Tree (Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland Select’) is one of the best ornamental pears beside a driveway. These trees commonly grow about 2′ per year and form a tight oval/pyramidal canopy.
6. Hybrid poplar
Hybrid poplar trees can grow up to 6 feet per year in optimal conditions. There are many different cultivars available. These hybrids are known for their towering height and broad canopy, which can provide quick shade. However, the large size and aggressive root system might be problematic near driveways due to potential damage to pavement on paved driveways.
7. Leyland cypress
The Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) is another fantastic landscaping tree with a quick growth rate. Growing 2 to 3 feet per year, this tree is popular for privacy hedges. Its tall, narrow growth habit makes it suitable for driveway borders without taking up too much space.
8. Lombardy poplar
Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) is a slender tree that’s a favorite beside roads and private drives. Growing up to 6 feet per year, its tall, narrow form is distinctive. It’s a good choice for creating vertical accents beside driveways, but be mindful of potential root spread over time.
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