16 Fast-Growing Trees You Should Plant In September To Transform Your Landscape

Fall gives you the perfect opportunity to experiment with the best ways to plant trees in your yard. While you may assume spring is the better option, fall offers newly planted trees the ideal environment to encourage strong root growth. With cooler air and warm soil temperatures, your sapling can focus on root growth rather than foliage production. By the time the hotter months roll around, your tree will already have a robust root system, which will aid spring foliage and bloom production. From the American redbud to the northern catalpa, there is a variety of trees that not only survive being planted in the fall, but also grow rapidly.

Planting a tree in September offers a range of benefits. As we already discussed, the temperatures offer the perfect environment for root establishment. It also ensures better drought and heat tolerance in the coming spring and summer. Note that you should aim to plant your sapling about six weeks out from the first hard frost when soil temperatures sit below 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets too cold, you could inadvertently harm the tree. Planting a tree in the fall also provides a unique opportunity to get a sneak peek at its fall foliage.

The Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata) is a stunning ornamental deciduous tree standing roughly 15 to 25 feet tall. It features white or pink blooms in the spring. Flowering cherry trees are native to Japan, Korea, and China but they're suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8. Not only are these trees a beautiful addition to your yard, but they also grow rapidly (though are short-lived) after you plant them. Expect about 2 to 4 feet of growth a year before it reaches maturity.

Another medium- to fast-growing deciduous tree to consider planting in your yard is the American linden (Tilia americana). It stands up to 80 feet tall at maturity. This ornamental shade tree grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. It prefers fertile, well-drained, loamy soil and is fairly drought-resistant. However, be cautious of where you plant it as it's sensitive to air pollution and urban conditions. The American linden produces clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in the spring and summer. As an added bonus, it attracts fireflies, butterflies, and honeybees to your yard.

The common fig (Ficus carica) is a woody, deciduous tree in the mulberry family. It quickly grows to a height of 10 to 30 feet once it's established in your yard. This tree produces an abundance of edible fruit in the summer or fall. Since it's originally from the Mediterranean, the common fig tends to die back once temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it will grow well outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10 with mulching, proper placement, and protection if the weather is expected to get very cold.

Growing anywhere from 90 to 120 feet tall, the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is another fast-growing tree renowned for its stunning, tulip-like blooms. This deciduous tree is a member of the magnolia family and is suitable to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. The tulip poplar blooms in the spring and offers a brilliant display of yellow to gold foliage in the fall. It prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. This tree's flowers will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.

If you're on the hunt for a tree with show-stopping fall foliage, consider planting a red maple (Acer rubrum) in your yard. Compared to other varieties such as the Norway or sugar maple, this deciduous tree grows quickly, reaching heights of 40 to 120 feet. (However, it's sluggish next to silver maple.) The red maple grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 and is highly adaptable. While it prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil, this tree tolerates a variety of conditions and does well in urban areas. Red maples produce flowers in the spring and double samaras, or winged, seeds that whirr to the ground like helicopters.

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the fastest-developing tree in the pine family, growing 13 to 24 inches per year. At maturity, this evergreen can reach up to 60 feet tall. It's suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, thriving in cool summer climates. The Norway spruce also has dwarf cultivars perfect for accent or foundation planting. It serves as a food source for local wildlife and attracts birds, moths, and small mammals.

Another fast-growing tree to consider planting in the fall is the weeping willow (Salix babylonica). Prized for its ethereal, drooping canopy of branches, it can serve as a focal point for your landscape. This deciduous tree can grow about 10 feet per year when it's young, eventually reaching 30 to 50 feet at maturity. It's suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 8 and is not particularly winter hardy in some areas. It thrives in moist environments so plant near a water source such as a pond or stream. The weeping willow isn't all beauty, either — it also attracts butterflies, bees, and an array of birds.

Growing roughly 3 feet a year, the eastern white pine is among the fastest-growing evergreen trees. Featuring bluish-green, feathery needles and cylindrical cones, this tree is 50 to 80 feet at maturity. It's suitable for gardens in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, and it thrives in humid, cool summer locations featuring fertile sandy soils. The eastern pine has staying power, with some trees living for over 200 years. It also attracts pollinators, small mammals, and songbirds.

As its name suggests, the Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is Ohio's state tree. People call it a buckeye due to its distinct brown nuts that resemble a deer's eye. This tree can grow 20 to 40 feet tall. It's suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7 and should be planted in acidic, moist, well-drained soil. For better foliage, plant in partial shade. For better nut and flower production, plant in partial to full sun.

If you're looking for a relatively fast-growing ornamental tree with gorgeous, fragrant blooms, consider planting an American redbud (Cercis canadensis). At maturity, this deciduous tree can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. It's a part of the Fabaceae, or pea, family, alongside wisteria, the Kentucky coffeetree, and some other popular trees. Redbuds feature heart-shaped foliage and papilionaceous, or butterfly-like, flowers similar to that of a sweet pea. They're suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, preferring well-drained, moist soil and some shade. If possible, plant your American redbud sapling below a larger tree to protect it from harsh sun.

Another evergreen to consider planting in the fall is the noble fir (Abies procera). Quickly reaching staggering heights of 80 to 200 feet tall, it is the largest fir native to the Americas. The tree features bluish-green needles and large reddish cones. Its symmetrical, stiff branches make it a popular option for Christmas trees. The noble fir prefers cool, high-elevation climates in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 6. The tree also does best in cool, moist, acidic soil with at least 4 hours of sunshine a day.

The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a striking deciduous tree featuring large, heart-shaped leaves and orchid-like blossoms. Hummingbirds love this fast-growing tree and all of its benefits; they're drawn in by the nectar of its fragrant flowers. At maturity, the northern catalpa can grow up to 70 feet in height. It requires roughly 6 hours of direct sunshine a day and prefers alkaline, well-drained soil. The northern catalpa is suitable for growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.

Crabapples (Malus spp.) are a versatile group of fruiting deciduous trees. There are several fast-growing cultivars including the prairie crabapple (Malus ioensis) and purple prince crabapple (Malus 'Purple Prince'). These medium-sized trees can range from 10 to 25 feet tall. Their blooms come in various colors, including white, red, pink, cream, coral, and more. The crabapples ripen on the tree in the late summer and early fall, depending on the variety. The fruit is not that different from other apples, genetically speaking — they're just smaller. Some people harvest them to make preserves, but you can also leave them on the tree for wildlife.

The giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata), also commonly known as the western redcedar, is a woody evergreen suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 7. The largest tree in the cypress family, it can quickly reach heights of 50 to 70 feet. The tree's staggering size makes it a great option as part of a privacy screen or windbreak. It's perfect for transforming your backyard into a hidden sanctuary. Make sure to give this tree plenty of room to grow and establish it in alkaline, moist soil for optimal growth.

If you're looking for a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree with show-stopping blooms, look no further than the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis). Its trumpet-shaped blooms can be white, pink, or lavender. This deciduous tree can grow anywhere from 15 to 30 feet tall and is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 11. As a desert plant, it can tolerate both hot and cold temperatures. It does well in a variety of soil conditions but does best in well-drained limestone soil.

Another fast-growing evergreen you can plant in your yard to elevate the space is the Leyland cypress (Cuprocyparis x leylandii). It's a hybrid between the Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) and Nootka false cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis). It can grow 18 to 36 inches a year when young, reaching 100 feet tall at maturity. The Leyland cypress is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10, preferring full sun and well-drained, fertile soil.