Transform your garden next summer: 4 fast-growing trees to plant this fall for instant impact

Dreaming of a lush, leafy retreat or a sudden burst of fresh fruit in your garden—but patience isn’t quite your strongest virtue? Good news: Some trees will transform your yard faster than you can say “Where’s my sunhat?” Instead of waiting decades, you can plant certain fast-growing trees this fall and enjoy a completely different garden vibe by next summer.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Trees?

Gardening is a true delight, but let’s be honest: waiting years to get the shade, flowers, or fruit you crave can test your enthusiasm. If you’d rather see change before your hair turns as gray as a silver birch, fast-growing trees are your secret weapon. Whether you’re after broad shade for summer picnics or fruit you can actually taste (this decade), there are standout species ready to leap into action with you.

The Fabulous Four: Trees with Instant Impact

• Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica): This spectacular ornamental tree, native to Asia, is instantly recognizable by its elegant, arching, pendulous branches. Don’t mistake its grace for laziness—this tree is a sprinter, growing an incredible 1 to 2 meters per year. At maturity, it can reach up to 25 meters in height and spreads just as wide, provided its roots find deep water. Plant a weeping willow this autumn and it could surprise you by next summer with a size that’s hard to ignore.

The weeping willow is best for large gardens, parks, or riverbanks, thriving where soil remains fresh to moist. A willow can tolerate ordinary soil but slowing down isn’t its style—if it misses out on moisture, expect a more laid-back pace.

• Northern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides): A beauty from the southeastern United States, this easy-to-grow ornamental tree pulls double duty as your garden’s natural parasol, capable of shooting up to 15 meters in height. Catalpa’s heart-shaped leaves (15–25 cm) pop out fashionably late around May, turning golden in autumn. From June to July, you’ll spot trumpet-shaped white flower clusters, then long, bean-like seed pods that give the catalpa its delightful nickname, “Indian Bean Tree.”

Catalpa is perfect as a stand-alone specimen—or lining streets—flourishing in almost any soil but especially loving fertile, well-drained earth. Maintenance is a breeze: keep it watered for the first few months, then let nature take over. Forget pruning—this one’s as low-effort as they come.

• Liquidambar: Originating in North America and Asia, liquidambars come in several species (L. styraciflua, L. formosana, L. orientalis, L. acalycina) and ornamental cultivars. While these trees might take a slow start in the early years, their growth kicks into high gear soon enough, and they can reach anywhere from 2 up to 20 meters depending on the species.

The highlight? Their distinctive deciduous foliage, which erupts into stunning yellow, orange, and red hues in autumn—lighting up the neighborhood. Resilient once established, liquidambars are hassle-free, thriving in acid or neutral, well-drained soils, and basking in sunshine. Deep soil with lime is tolerated, but not their favorite. Choose a well-developed tree this fall, and you’ll likely be marveling at its progress by the next year.

• Fig Tree (Ficus carica): This fruit-bearing shrub from the Middle East fits in almost anywhere—even in less-than-tropical climates. It’s a heavyweight among fast-growing fruit trees, outpacing a meter each year during its youth, and can bear fruit in just two years. “Biferous” varieties—because why not have more—yield one crop in summer and another in autumn; “uniferous” types stick to just one. Northern gardeners, take note: opt for self-fertile varieties like ‘Violette Dauphine’.

The fig adapts to virtually any soil but prefers well-drained, slightly acidic earth. It demands sun and warmth, ideally sheltering against a south-facing wall in chillier regions.

Tips, Cautions, and a Sprinkle of Humor

Tempted to plant these fast-growing giants as close as socks in a laundry basket? Here’s the rub—plots are shrinking, yet some of these trees can reach 20 meters or more! Maybe think twice before crowding them, unless you want to recreate a mini-forest (which, admittedly, could have its charm… or your neighbor’s not-so-silent complaints).

A quick word to the wise: while fast growth is thrilling, it can come with future regrets. Certain species, like the POLOWNIA, have turned into full-on invaders in some areas, even rooting in walls and rooftops like they own the place—outcompeting buddleias and ailanthus, and possibly causing more headaches than joy. And let’s not even start on bamboo. Fast-growing doesn’t always mean hassle-free or harmless, so definitely do your research before planting.

Final Thoughts: Getting the Most from Your Fast-Growing Trees

Transforming your garden can be as simple (and speedy) as picking the right tree. Each of these four choices will grant you near-instant impact, whether you’re chasing shade, autumn color, or snacking straight from the branches. Just remember, a little garden planning now saves a heap of grumbling later. Choose your spot carefully, match the species to your space, and enjoy that summer magic—before your neighbors ask for a share of your figs!