Guest Columnist
The goal of many, me included, is to plant a 3' tall sapling today and have a 40' tree next year. Unfortunately, trees normally don't grow like kudzu, but there are some choices that produce above average growth rates.
The question, though, is what kind of results can be expected. A fast-growth tree that may die after a short life span isn't much of a bargain. Examples include Sycamore and both the weeping & white willow trees. There are, however, several species that are fast growing, look attractive, and have reasonably long lives. As always, soil type, texture, pH, fertility, water and other factors affect the growth rate.
Oaks, with few exception, have a reputation for being slow growing. Red oaks (pointed leaf lobes) grow faster than white oaks (rounded leaf lobes). THE red oak grows about 2' a year, but pin oaks can reach 2-3' per year. Life span is about 120 years.
Red maple, perhaps the only maple excellent for our area, is a middle-road fast grower, reaching 1-2' a year and living 200 years. A 2-3' per year tree is the thornless honey locust having a 120-150 year life span and tropical looking foliage.
One of the most beautiful fast growers is the golden raintree. From a short distance, it strongly resembles a pecan tree, although the central stem (bole) is usually longer. It's only tree with yellow flowers as well as limbs that offer solid flowers plus a Japanese lantern looking seed pod. It can reach its maximum height of 40' in as few as 13 years.
For the utmost in growth, one needs to look no further than the paulownia tree. Under ideal soil and water conditions, it can reach 30' in one year. Life span is 100 years. It's large leaves make excellent compost.
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