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9 fast-growing trees in the UK
They can reach their full height in just a few years.
Weeping willow, lombardy poplar and silver birch are among the UK's fastest-growing trees.
Trees add interest, create shade and are great habitats for wildlife, but while some trees take decades to mature – like the traditional oak tree – the fast-growing trees named in this list can reach their full height in just a few years.
The lombardy poplar climbs a staggering 3.6 metres a year, reaching its full height of 20 metres in just over five years, while the weeping willow grows up to 2.4 metres a year, reaching its mature height of 15 metres in around six years. While the growth is impressive, not all trees will be suitable for the average garden, especially one that's on the smaller side, so smaller trees would suit in this instance.
With some help from the gardening experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk, take a look at some of the fastest-growing trees...
Eucalyptus
This evergreen gives your garden a year-round burst of colour and grows up to 2.4 metres a year. With long, slender, stalk-like blue-green leaves, the eucalyptus tree can grow to 20 metres if left untrimmed.
Silver birch
Native to the UK, this hardy tree is easy to spot by its white peeling bark, triangular leaves and catkins. It reaches a height of 30 metres and grows around 40cm per year.
Lombardy Poplar
Unmistakably tall and slender, you’ll often find this towering tree planted in tight rows to form a screen. It grows around 3.6 metres a year and reaches around 20 metres tall. Fun fact: Poplar trees are commonly used by farmers as windbreaks.
Tulip Poplar
The tulip poplar is a leafy tree which can grow as tall as 30 metres, gaining over 90cm a year. The wide leaves offer lots of shade during the summer.
Maples
There are lots of maples to choose from and they all grow quickly, apart from the Japanese maples. An abundance of colour is guaranteed too, with maple trees growing to 24 metres tall, around 60cm a year.
Italian Cypress
The Italian Cypress is great as a privacy screen and property divider. Dark green, slender and pencil-shaped, this tree will bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden. It will grow around 60cm a year, reaching 12 metres.
River Birch
This is a durable tree which can grow anywhere. It does need a lot of water – up to 90 litres a week as a sapling – but it will reward you by growing up to a metre a year, reaching 27 metres.
Dawn Redwood
This tree, which originates from China, can grow up to 30 metres tall and seven metres wide. It grows well in most soil and weather conditions and can often be found in parks and large open spaces. The leaves turn a gorgeous autumnal brown before dropping ahead of spring's new growth.
Weeping Willow
The weeping willow is often found on the banks of lakes and rivers and grows between 1.2 metres and 2.4 metres per year, reaching around 15 metres high. The low branches form beautiful canopies, creating lots of shade. This ornamental tree features long and narrow green leaves, and flowers from March to May with yellow clusters.
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