9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (2024)

Garden
Landscaping

Choose from these trees to quickly create a beautiful hedge or privacy screen in your yard.

Madeline Buiano

Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry.

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Published on March 7, 2024

Thuga Green Giant

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (3)

Cloaked in dense, dark,evergreenfoliage that goes all the way down to the ground, thuga green giant (standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') has a conical habit that needs only occasional shearing or pruning, says Kelly Funk,presidentof Jackson & Perkins.

Zone:5 to 9
Mature size:30 to 50 feet tall x 10 to 12 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

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False Cypress

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (4)

False cypress (Chamaecyparis) is an easy-to-care-for evergreen tree that has a fast growth habit. It's recognized by its dense and lush lime-green foliage that makes it a great option for privacy screens or hedges, says Funk.

Zone:4 to 8
Mature size:30 feet tall x 15 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun to part shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Coastal Red Cedar

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (5)

Coastal red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola) boasts beautiful, slightly weeping branches with blueberry-like cones on the ends. This tree grows well in coastal areas and is drought-tolerant, so it's ideal for warmer climates.

Zone:7 to 11
Mature size:30 to 40 feet tall x 25 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun; moist, well-draining, sandy soil

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Nellie Stevens Holly

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Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex'Nellie Stevens Holly') has dark green pointed leaves and is distinguished by its red berries. Holly varieties are generally dioecious, meaning the female plants have the fruit and benefit from having male plants pollinate them, says Damon Abdiof the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center.

Zone: 6 to 9
Mature size:15 to 30 feet tall x 8 to 25 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun to part shade; acidic, well-draining soil

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Italian Cypress

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (7)

A wonderful evergreen tree for creating a natural fence, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has a very upright, tall and narrow form with attractive blue-green foliage. Keep in mind that mites, bagworms, and root rot can be common issues when growing Italian cypress, says Abdi. This tree generally does better in drier climates.

Zone: 7 to 10
Mature size:40 to 70 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun; well-draining soil

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Wax Myrtle

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Great for welcoming pollinators to your yard, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) boasts attractive glossy leaves and flowerysthat aren't showy, but can be fragrant, says Abdi. The evergreen tree also produces waxy silver-blue fruits that have a welcoming aroma.

Zone: 7 to 10
Mature size:20 to 25 feet tall x 8 to 10 feet wide
Care requirements:Full to part shade; tolerates a range of soil conditions

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Leyland Cypress

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (9)

This quick-growing tree is often used for hedges or privacy screens and looks incredible in backyards. Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) typically has attractive blue-green foliage, but some cultivars are more yellow in color, says Abdi. It's susceptible to a wide range of pests, so it may be higher maintenance than other fast-growing evergreens.

Zone: 6 to 10
Mature size:60 to 70 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun; tolerates a range of soil conditions

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Dahoon Holly

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Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) is an upright grower that produces red berries. "Like other hollies, this is dioecious," says Abdi. If you grow this holly tree in your yard, be sure to protect the roots, especially after planting, as they are quite sensitive.

Zone: 7 to 11
Mature size:20 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

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Sweetbay Magnolia

9 Fast-Growing Evergreen Trees That Will Be Tall Before You Know It (11)

Also known as beaver tree, sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) can be grown as a shrub or as an evergreen tree. Its green leaves have a silvery underside for beautiful dimension, while the flowers are white, showy, and fragrant. Note that sweetbay magnolia is native to the southeastern U.S. and grows best in this climate.

Zone: 5 to 10
Mature size:10 to 35 feet tall x 10 to 25 feet wide
Care requirements:Full sun to part shade; moist, rich soils

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