Fast-growing evergreen trees are valuable when you want to establish a landscape quickly. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their foliage during part of the year, evergreen trees can provide year-round color, screening, shade, wind protection, and structure. A rapidly growing evergreen can transform an open yard into a more established-looking landscape in considerably less time than a slow-growing species.
Growth rate, however, is not the only factor to consider. Some evergreen trees can add 2–3 feet of growth per year under excellent conditions, while others are considered fast because they establish quickly even if their annual height increase is more moderate. Soil fertility, moisture, sunlight, temperature, climate, and available root space can all affect how quickly a tree develops.
It is also important to distinguish between a tree that grows quickly and one that stays small. Many of the fastest-growing evergreens eventually become large trees, so they may not be appropriate for a small yard. Before planting, check the mature height and width, particularly if the tree will be near a house, driveway, fence, power line, or underground utility.
The following list includes 50 evergreen trees and fast-growing evergreen selections, ranging from privacy favorites such as arborvitae and Leyland cypress to broadleaf evergreens such as magnolia and eucalyptus. Growth rates are approximate and can vary considerably by climate and growing conditions.
1. Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’) is one of the most popular fast-growing evergreens for privacy screens.
Under favorable conditions, it can grow approximately 2–4 feet per year and eventually reach 40–60 feet tall. Its dense, dark-green foliage remains attractive throughout the year.
It naturally develops a pyramidal form and usually requires less pruning than many formal hedging plants. Give it adequate room to develop its mature width.
2. Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) is famous for its rapid growth and dense evergreen foliage.
Young trees can add approximately 2–3 feet annually, sometimes more under excellent conditions. Mature specimens can exceed 60 feet.
Its narrow-to-pyramidal form makes it useful for privacy screening, windbreaks, and property boundaries. Because it grows rapidly, sufficient spacing is essential.
3. Murray Cypress
Murray cypress is a fast-growing evergreen selection related to Leyland cypress.
It is valued for its upright habit, dense foliage, and ability to establish quickly as a privacy screen. Depending on conditions, annual growth can approach 2–3 feet.
It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil.
4. Carolina Sapphire Cypress
Carolina Sapphire cypress (Cupressus arizonica ‘Carolina Sapphire’) is an attractive fast-growing evergreen with silvery-blue foliage.
It can add around 1–2 feet of growth per year when conditions are favorable and can eventually become a substantial tree.
Its blue foliage provides excellent contrast against green shrubs and trees.
5. Arizona Cypress
Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) is a drought-tolerant evergreen conifer from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
It can grow relatively quickly, especially in warm climates with adequate moisture during establishment.
The foliage ranges from blue-green to gray-green, while the bark can become attractive and fibrous with age.
6. Thuja Green Giant ‘Steeplechase’
‘Steeplechase’ is an upright arborvitae selection valued for its dense foliage and relatively rapid establishment.
It develops a narrow pyramidal form, making it useful where privacy is needed without an extremely broad hedge.
Its evergreen foliage provides screening in every season.
7. Western Red Cedar
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is a large evergreen native to western North America.
Young trees can establish rapidly in moist, favorable conditions. Mature specimens may reach 100–150 feet in exceptional environments.
Its dense scale-like foliage and aromatic wood make it valuable for privacy, wildlife habitat, and wind protection.
8. Northern White Cedar
Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a versatile evergreen used extensively for hedges and screens.
It can grow at a moderate-to-fast rate when young, particularly with sufficient moisture.
Standard trees can reach 40–50 feet, while numerous cultivars provide smaller options.
9. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a hardy evergreen capable of growing relatively quickly during its establishment period.
It can eventually reach 40–60 feet and develops dense blue-green foliage.
The tree tolerates drought, poor soils, and exposed locations once established, making it particularly useful for windbreaks and wildlife plantings.
10. Spartan Juniper
Spartan juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’) is a fast-growing, columnar evergreen.
It can reach approximately 15–20 feet relatively quickly while maintaining a narrow profile.
This makes it useful for privacy screens and vertical accents where horizontal space is limited.
11. Taylor Juniper
Taylor juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’) is a narrow evergreen selection.
It grows upward rather than outward and can eventually reach around 20 feet or more.
Its blue-green foliage and columnar shape make it especially useful beside driveways, fences, and property boundaries.
12. Blue Point Juniper
Blue Point juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’) develops a dense, pyramidal shape and attractive blue-green foliage.
It can grow relatively quickly after establishment and may eventually reach around 10–15 feet.
It is useful as a specimen or privacy plant in sunny, well-drained locations.
13. Hollywood Juniper
Hollywood juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’) is an unusual evergreen with dramatically twisted branches.
It has moderate-to-fast growth and can reach approximately 15–20 feet.
Its irregular form makes it more suitable as an ornamental specimen than a formal hedge.
14. Italian Cypress
Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a narrow evergreen famous for its tall, columnar silhouette.
Growth can be relatively fast when the tree is young and growing in a suitable warm climate.
Mature trees can exceed 50 feet, while their narrow width makes them surprisingly space-efficient.
15. Cryptomeria
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a fast-growing evergreen conifer in moist, favorable environments.
It can eventually reach 50–70 feet and develops soft, dense foliage.
The reddish-brown bark becomes increasingly attractive as the tree matures.
16. Yoshino Cryptomeria
‘Yoshino’ Japanese cedar is a popular fast-growing selection of Cryptomeria japonica.
It develops a dense pyramidal form and can add substantial growth annually once established.
It is particularly useful as a specimen or privacy tree in humid regions.
17. Radicans Cryptomeria
‘Radicans’ is another fast-growing Japanese cedar cultivar.
It has dense blue-green foliage and a more vigorous growth habit than many compact cryptomerias.
Its combination of rapid growth and attractive evergreen foliage makes it popular for screens.
18. Western Hemlock
Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) is a large evergreen native to western North America.
In moist forests it can grow rapidly, eventually becoming an enormous tree.
It develops graceful, drooping branches and soft needles.
Because of its potential size, it is best suited to large properties.
19. Sitka Spruce
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is one of the fastest-growing large conifers in cool, moist coastal environments.
Exceptional trees can exceed 200 feet, making it unsuitable for most residential yards.
Where adequate space exists, however, its rapid growth makes it valuable for forestry, wind protection, and large landscapes.
20. Norway Spruce
Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a fast-growing evergreen commonly planted for windbreaks, screening, and large landscapes.
Young trees can add approximately 1–2 feet annually, sometimes more under ideal conditions.
Mature specimens can reach 60–100 feet.
21. White Spruce
White spruce (Picea glauca) is a hardy North American evergreen that can establish relatively quickly in suitable conditions.
It develops a symmetrical pyramidal shape and can reach approximately 50–100 feet.
Its adaptability makes it useful in colder regions.
22. Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is famous for its blue-gray needles.
It is generally considered moderate rather than extremely fast-growing, but young trees can establish at a respectable rate under favorable conditions.
Mature specimens commonly reach 50–75 feet.
23. Black Hills Spruce
Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca var. densata) is a naturally dense form of white spruce.
It is valued for its symmetrical shape and cold tolerance.
Its growth is moderate, with young trees establishing more quickly when provided adequate moisture and sunlight.
24. Douglas Fir
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is one of North America’s most important timber trees and can grow rapidly in favorable environments.
Young trees may add 2 feet or more annually under excellent conditions.
Some specimens exceed 200 feet, so this is a tree for large properties rather than compact residential spaces.
25. Grand Fir
Grand fir (Abies grandis) is a large evergreen known for its rapid growth in moist Pacific Northwest environments.
It can reach 150–200 feet in exceptional forests.
The needles are glossy and aromatic, and the tree develops a classic conical shape when young.
26. Noble Fir
Noble fir (Abies procera) is a majestic evergreen from the Pacific Northwest.
It can grow quickly in cool, moist environments and eventually become more than 150 feet tall.
Its symmetrical branches and blue-green needles make it particularly attractive as a large landscape specimen.
27. Fraser Fir
Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is a compact, attractive evergreen native to the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Its growth rate is moderate rather than exceptionally fast, but it can establish well in cool, moist conditions.
It is best suited to climates with relatively cool summers.
28. Nordmann Fir
Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) can grow relatively quickly when planted in favorable cool climates.
It develops dense, dark-green foliage and a symmetrical pyramidal crown.
Mature trees can become very large, making them better suited to spacious gardens and parks.
29. Coast Redwood
Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is among the fastest-growing evergreen trees when planted in its preferred cool, moist environment.
Young trees can sometimes add several feet of height per year.
The species can eventually reach more than 300 feet, so residential planting requires exceptional space.
30. Giant Sequoia
Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is another enormous evergreen conifer.
It can grow rapidly when young and has the potential to reach more than 200 feet.
Its immense mature dimensions mean it should only be planted where there is ample room.
31. Australian Pine
Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) is a fast-growing evergreen-looking tree commonly associated with tropical and subtropical regions.
Despite its common name, it is not a true pine.
It can grow rapidly and tolerate sandy soils and coastal conditions. In some regions, however, it is invasive, so local regulations and recommendations should be checked before planting.
32. Eucalyptus
Many eucalyptus species are evergreen and exceptionally fast-growing.
Some can add 3–6 feet per year when young under favorable conditions.
They are particularly suited to warm climates and can become very large. Their aromatic foliage and peeling bark provide distinctive ornamental interest.
33. Lemon-Scented Gum
Lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora) is a rapidly growing evergreen tree with strongly aromatic foliage.
It can reach 60–100 feet in suitable climates.
The pale, smooth bark and narrow leaves create a distinctive appearance.
It performs best in warm climates with plenty of sunlight.
34. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
Silver dollar eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) is known for its rounded, silvery juvenile foliage.
It can grow rapidly in warm climates and may reach 20–50 feet depending on conditions.
It is often grown for its distinctive foliage and can make an attractive ornamental specimen.
35. Southern Magnolia
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a broadleaf evergreen capable of relatively rapid growth when young.
It can eventually reach 60–80 feet.
Its glossy leaves remain on the tree year-round, while enormous white flowers provide additional seasonal interest.
It performs best in warm climates with fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
36. Little Gem Magnolia
Little Gem magnolia is a more compact cultivar of southern magnolia.
It grows considerably faster than many dwarf evergreens while maintaining a narrower habit than the standard species.
It can eventually reach around 20–30 feet, making it useful for smaller landscapes where a full-sized magnolia would be excessive.
37. Sweetbay Magnolia
Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an evergreen or semi-evergreen magnolia depending on climate.
It grows relatively quickly in warm, moist conditions and can range from a large shrub to a tree around 30–60 feet.
Its fragrant white flowers and glossy leaves make it an excellent ornamental choice.
38. Live Oak
Live oak (Quercus virginiana) is one of the most iconic broadleaf evergreen trees of the southeastern United States.
Young trees can establish relatively rapidly when provided adequate moisture and sunlight.
Mature trees can reach approximately 40–80 feet tall, but their spreading branches can produce a canopy much wider than the tree is tall.
39. California Pepper Tree
California pepper tree (Schinus molle) is a fast-growing evergreen from South America that is widely cultivated in warm climates.
It develops graceful, weeping branches and finely divided foliage.
Trees can reach approximately 30–50 feet and are particularly suited to sunny, warm landscapes.
In some regions it can become invasive, so local planting recommendations should be considered.
40. Japanese Blueberry Tree
Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens) is an evergreen broadleaf tree valued for its dense foliage and attractive upright form.
It can grow relatively quickly in warm climates and may reach 30–40 feet.
Its dense canopy makes it useful for privacy screening, streetscapes, and ornamental planting.
41. Podocarpus
Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus) is a versatile evergreen that can be grown as a tree, hedge, or screen.
It establishes relatively quickly in warm climates and can eventually reach 30–40 feet.
Its narrow, glossy foliage gives it a refined appearance, while its tolerance of pruning makes it useful in formal landscapes.
42. Fern Pine
Fern pine (Afrocarpus gracilior) is a fast-growing evergreen tree suited to warm climates.
It develops narrow leaves and a dense, upright crown.
Trees can reach approximately 40–60 feet, although pruning can help maintain a more manageable shape.
It is frequently used for screening and urban landscaping.
43. Japanese Privet Tree
Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) is an evergreen broadleaf plant that can be trained as a small tree.
It grows quickly in warm climates and has glossy, dark-green leaves.
It can reach around 15–25 feet, making it more manageable than many fast-growing evergreen trees.
Because some privets can become invasive, local guidance should be considered before planting.
44. Southern Wax Myrtle
Southern wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that can be trained into a small tree.
It may grow 2–3 feet annually under favorable conditions.
Its aromatic foliage and dense branching make it useful for privacy screens, wildlife gardens, and coastal landscapes.
It tolerates pruning well.
45. Australian Willow
Australian willow (Geijera parviflora) is an evergreen tree with narrow, willow-like leaves.
It can establish relatively quickly in warm, dry climates.
Mature trees commonly reach around 20–30 feet, making them useful for residential landscapes where a medium-sized evergreen is desired.
Its foliage creates a soft, airy appearance.
46. Brisbane Box
Brisbane box (Lophostemon confertus) is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia.
It can reach approximately 30–50 feet and develops a dense, rounded crown.
The species is frequently used as a street and shade tree in warm climates because of its adaptability.
47. Strawberry Tree
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is an attractive broadleaf evergreen that grows as a small to medium-sized tree.
It can establish reasonably quickly in suitable Mediterranean-type climates.
Its dark-green leaves, reddish bark, bell-shaped flowers, and strawberry-like fruits provide interest across several seasons.
It generally reaches around 15–30 feet.
48. Loquat
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an evergreen fruit tree that can grow relatively rapidly in warm climates.
It typically reaches 15–30 feet, with large, glossy leaves that give the canopy a tropical appearance.
The tree produces clusters of fragrant flowers followed by edible yellow-orange fruits.
It needs sunlight and protection from severe frost.
49. Avocado Tree
Avocado (Persea americana) is a fast-growing evergreen fruit tree in warm climates.
Under favorable conditions, young trees can put on substantial growth each year.
Depending on the variety and growing environment, mature trees can reach 30–60 feet or more.
They require excellent drainage, warmth, sunlight, and protection from severe cold.
50. Feijoa
Feijoa, also called pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana), is an evergreen tree or large shrub valued for its attractive foliage, flowers, and edible fruit.
It can grow relatively quickly once established and generally reaches around 10–20 feet, depending on growing conditions and pruning.
Its silvery-green leaves have an attractive appearance, while its unusual flowers feature prominent red stamens. The tree is particularly well suited to warm temperate and Mediterranean-style landscapes.