If you live in Texas and want to transform your outdoor space quickly, this guide is for you. Whether you’re a homeowner trying to escape the heat, a landscaper working on a project, or a property developer improving curb appeal, choosing the best fast growing trees is key. These trees bring quick results, boost property value, and help your space look mature and lush without waiting decades.
Texas is big and bold, and so is its climate. The weather shifts dramatically from east to west and north to south. That means your tree choices should match your local zone and soil. But don’t worry—we’ll walk you through that too!
Why Should We Plant More Fast-Growing Trees In Texas?
Ask any Texas homeowner who planted a tree 10 years ago. They’ll tell you the shade today is worth early care. With fast-growing shade trees, you cut down heat, cool your home, and add a lived-in look to your yard much sooner. These trees also help with:
- Shade from heat: Fast-growing shade trees naturally cool your yard and help lower summer energy bills.
- Privacy fast: These quickly growing trees for backyard privacy grow dense and tall. They easily block noise and unwanted views.
- Instant curb appeal: Mature-looking landscape trees make your home feel complete. They instantly boost style and outdoor value.
- Erosion control: Strong roots hold soil on slopes. These growing trees prevent runoff during Texas storms and heavy rain.
- Wind protection: Fast growers act as natural windbreaks. They shelter fragile plants and keep outdoor spaces more comfortable.
And when you choose trees that naturally thrive in Texas, you’ll spend less time nursing them and more time enjoying the shade.
1. Texas Red Oak (Shade Tree)
Texas Red Oak is truly an ideal choice if you desire fast shade and fall color. People often plant it in new buildings to quickly gain height and coverage.
This native oak grows strong in Central and East Texas. It’s known for surviving hot summers, bouncing back from storms, and showing off those brilliant red leaves in fall.
- Growth Speed: 2 to 3 feet per year
- Mature Height: Around 50 feet tall
- Care Tips: This tree thrives in full sun and grows well even in clay-heavy soil. Water it regularly during the first two years to help it establish a deep and healthy root system.
Texas Red Oak is one of the quick growing trees for backyard projects that need structure, shade, and beauty in one shot.
2. Mexican Sycamore (Shade Tree)
Ever seen a tree with white bark and giant green leaves fluttering in the breeze? That’s the Mexican Sycamore. This tree is fast, tall, and dramatic. Homeowners love it because you can plant it today and walk under its shade in just a few years.
It grows best in Central and South Texas and laughs in the face of droughts. It’s also a local favorite for big yards or commercial spaces that need fast canopy coverage.
- Growth Speed: 3 to 5 feet per year
- Mature Height: Up to 80 feet tall
- Care Tips: This tree prefers full sun and thrives in areas with good drainage. During its early years, give it some extra care to help it establish strong roots and steady growth.
If you want one of the best fast growing trees for big shade and bold looks, this is it.
3. Desert Willow (Ornamental Tree)
Desert Willow is the artist of the bunch. It’s smaller but adds major flair. People plant it for its showy pink flowers and light, airy branches that sway in the wind. And it smells incredible too.
This tree is perfect for West Texas landscapes or dry urban areas where you still want that lush look without the high water bill. It’s one of those landscape trees that feels like both sculpture and shade.
- Growth Speed: 2 to 3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 20 to 30 feet tall
- Care Tips: This tree thrives in dry soil and full sunlight. Once established, it requires very little maintenance. It is an ideal choice for xeriscaping and drought-prone areas.
Gardeners often plant two or three together for a flowering canopy that welcomes hummingbirds all summer.
4. Eastern Red Cedar (Windbreak & Privacy Tree)
If you want green walls and privacy screens, Eastern Red Cedar is a go-to tree in Texas. It grows thick, tall, and evergreen. Property owners and farmers plant it to block wind, buffer noise, and fast screen fences.
These trees are tough. They can grow in poor soil, deal with drought, and keep growing year-round. Best of all, they give you a natural barrier without a fence permit.
- Growth Speed: 1 to 2 feet per year
- Mature Height: Around 40 feet
- Care Tips: Space these trees out generously to prevent overcrowding as they grow. They do not require special soil conditions and will thrive in most Texas soils. Once the roots are well established, they only need minimal watering to stay healthy.
If your property needs shelter or privacy, this is one of the best fast growing trees to plant in rows.
5. Bald Cypress (Shade & Water Tolerant Tree)
Bald Cypress is a great pick if your yard tends to flood or you live near water. These trees love soggy conditions and grow tall and wide. They have soft, feathery foliage that turns rust-orange in the fall.
You’ll see them lining rivers in East Texas, but they do well in suburban settings. They grow straight and strong even when planted in shallow or shifting soils.
- Growth Speed: 2 to 3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 50 to 70 feet
- Care Tips: This tree can handle both wet and dry soil conditions. It needs plenty of space to allow its roots to spread fully. You should water it regularly during extended dry spells.
Want to cool down a soggy corner of your yard? Bald Cypress is one of the most reliable growing trees for wet zones in Texas.
6. Anacacho Orchid Tree (Ornamental Tree)
This small tree packs a punch. The Anacacho Orchid Tree is covered in delicate pale pink or white flowers and this feature attracts bees and butterflies. People in South and Central Texas love it for patios, courtyards, or corner plantings.
It’s drought-resistant and compact, making it ideal for smaller yards where you still want something special to look at.
- Growth Speed: Around 2 feet per year
- Mature Height: 12 to 15 feet
- Care Tips: This tree thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil that doesn’t stay soggy. If you’re planting it in North Texas, protect it from hard frosts, especially during the first few winters.
It’s one of the most quick growing trees for backyard gardens with tight spaces.
7. Chinese Pistache (Shade & Ornamental Tree)
Chinese Pistache is the tree people plant when they want fall color in Texas. It turns bright orange and red in autumn and stays deep green through the summer.
This non-native tree is highly adaptable, so cities plant it along streets and sidewalks. Droughts, heavy soil and pollution do not affect it
- Growth Speed: 2 to 3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 35 to 45 feet
- Care Tips: This tree grows best in full sun throughout the day. Once established, it becomes low maintenance and doesn’t demand much attention. Make sure to prune it early on to shape its canopy and encourage healthy growth.
It is beautiful, tall, and perfect for the Texas climate. It is one of the most popular fast-growing shade tree options today.
How To Plant Smart in Texas Soil?
Texas soil is no joke. Clay in the Hill Country, sand in the East, and rocky ground out west. Here’s how to make sure your trees get off to a good start:
- Always dig your hole wider than the root ball
- Check drainage before you plant—soggy roots kill trees
- Water deeply, not often, especially in the first 2 years
- Do not add mulch against the trunk
Plant in early spring or fall to avoid summer stress. Let your tree settle in before the extreme heat hits.
Final Takeaway
You don’t have to wait decades for a lush, mature landscape. With the right fast-growing trees, your Texas yard can become shaded, private, and visually complete in just a few years. The trees listed above aren’t just attractive—they’re tough, reliable, and well-suited for Texas’s diverse climates and soil types.
Whether you’re crafting a cozy backyard retreat or tackling a large-scale landscape project, choose trees that grow quickly and thrive in your specific region. These proven performers bring beauty, shade, and structure while saving you time and maintenance.
Not sure which trees are best for your local conditions? Tree Amigos Tree Service is here to help! Our experts can recommend the perfect species for your soil and zone. With smart choices and a little early care, your Texas landscape will flourish faster than you think.
