Fast Growing Pine Trees – Choose the Perfect Variety for Your Landscape

Fast growing pine trees are evergreen trees that can add serious height, structure, privacy, and year round color to a landscape in just a few seasons. Under ideal conditions, many top pine varieties grow 2 to 4 feet per year, while the fastest growing true pine trees include the Eastern White Pine, Loblolly Pine, Slash Pine, and Austrian Pine, which can all increase in height by 2 to 5 feet per year once established.

These fast growing conifers are ideal for privacy screens, windbreaks, shade, and large focal points. Fast-growing pines can quickly transform flat, exposed yards into mature, structured environments due to their exceptional growth rates, often exceeding 2 feet of vertical growth per year. Fast-growing pine trees serve as excellent additions to residential landscapes, providing a rapid solution for homeowners seeking privacy screens, windbreaks, and year-round aesthetic appeal.

Find the right tree for your growing zone, soil, sun exposure, and long-term landscape goals, or consider mature trees for instant landscape impact.

Fast Growing Pine Trees for Every Purpose

Different pine species serve different roles in the yard. Some grow dense and broad for screening, some tolerate wind and winter exposure, and others become tall architectural trees with a strong pyramidal form.

Privacy Screen Pine Trees

For fast growing privacy trees, Austrian Pine and Eastern White Pine are two dependable choices, and versatile evergreens like Fern Pine trees for privacy and windbreaks can complement them in mixed plantings. Austrian Pine develops dense foliage with dark green needles, while Eastern White Pine has soft blue green foliage and a graceful branching habit. Many rapid pines possess soft, feathery needles that move gracefully in the wind, unlike stiff or prickly evergreens.

Plant privacy pines 8 to 12 feet apart for strong coverage over time. When planted in staggered rows, fast-developing pines can create dense foliage that quickly blocks views from neighbors or nearby roads, serving as rapid privacy screens. Plan for mature width as carefully as height so young trees have enough space to grow without overcrowding.

Windbreak & Property Border Pines

Red Pine and Scots Pine are strong options for wind protection, especially in colder regions, while drought-tolerant choices like the Mondell Pine for tough windbreak sites work well in drier climates. These hardy pines handle harsh weather, exposed sites, and winter conditions better than many ornamental evergreens.

For maximum wind blocking, plant pines in rows or staggered double rows. Norway Spruce (Picea abies) can grow up to 3 feet per year and is suitable for USDA Zones 3 to 7, making it a great choice for windbreaks and privacy. While picea abies is not a pine, it is often considered alongside fast growing trees for property borders because it grows quickly and keeps its year round foliage.

Shade & Landscape Accent Pines

Ponderosa Pine and Loblolly Pine work beautifully as specimen trees in large landscapes. Their tall trunks, strong branching, and pyramidal shape create a bold focal point that feels more permanent than a deciduous tree or smaller shrubs.

The Loblolly Pine, known for its very fast growth in Southern regions, is also commonly used for timber and privacy screens. In open sun with well drained soil, Loblolly Pine can become a large shade tree with impressive height, while Ponderosa Pine adds rugged texture and architectural appeal.

Choose the Right Pine Tree for Your Climate Zone

Choosing by hardiness zones is essential. A pine that grows quickly in one usda zone may become slow growing, stressed, or disease-prone in another.

Zones 3-5 (Northern Climates)

For cold northern climates, Red Pine, Eastern White Pine, and Scots Pine are reliable choices. These species are hardy, tolerate shorter growing seasons, and can withstand temperatures down to -30°F when properly established.

White Pine (Pinus strobus) is a rapid grower that can reach over 80 feet tall and is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8. Eastern White Pine, also known botanically as pinus strobus, is especially useful where you want fast growth, soft foliage, and a natural evergreen screen. In colder zones, young trees may establish slowly at first, but growth improves once roots settle into consistent soil moisture.

Zones 6-7 (Moderate Climates)

In moderate climates, Austrian Pine and Virginia Pine offer excellent versatility. They adapt to changing temperatures, tolerate a range of soil types, and perform well where winter cold and summer heat both matter.

Zone 6 and zone 7 landscapes can also compare pines with other growing evergreens such as eastern red cedar, juniper, eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and balsam fir, or look to a local plant nursery and landscape experts for region-specific recommendations. Austrian Pine is especially useful near streets or urban sites because it tolerates poor soil and pollution better than many pines. For maximum growth rates, choose full sun, well drained soil, and enough room for mature width.

Zones 8-9 (Southern Climates)

For warm Southern climates, Loblolly Pine and Slash Pine are standout performers, and they pair well with other heat-loving landscape trees. These fast growing pines thrive in heat, humidity, and long growing seasons, and they can develop impressive new growth each spring and summer.

Most fast-growing pines prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil, while Loblolly pines can handle a variety of soils, including sandy and loamy types. Once established, Loblolly and Slash Pine show better drought tolerance than many young evergreens, though watering needs are still important during the first few years. In Southern landscapes, they bring height, shade, privacy, and classic southern charm.

Top Fast Growing Pine Varieties

Select proven pine species with documented fast growth, mature size, and climate suitability. The fastest growing evergreen for one yard may not be the right tree for another, so compare growth, mature height, soil, and sun requirements before you plant.

Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine is one of the most popular fast growing pine trees for large residential landscapes. It commonly grows 2 to 3 feet per year once established and can reach 80+ feet at maturity.

Its soft blue green foliage, layered branching, and elegant shape make it attractive for privacy screens, natural borders, and woodland-style yards. It is hardy in zones 3 to 8 and adapts to various soil types, although consistent moisture and full sun help it grow best.

Austrian Pine

Austrian Pine grows 1 to 2 feet annually under favorable care and is a strong choice for challenging sites. It has dense, dark green foliage and a broad pyramidal form that works well for screening and wind protection.

This species tolerates urban pollution, wind, and poorer soils better than many pines, making it useful where other evergreen trees struggle. Give Austrian Pine full sun, good drainage, and enough room so its mature width does not interfere with buildings, paths, or tight spaces.

Loblolly Pine

Loblolly Pine is one of the fastest growing pines for warm climates, often adding 3 to 4 feet per year in optimal Southern conditions. It has long needles, a straight trunk, and can reach 100+ feet when mature.

Native to the southeastern US and thriving in zones 6 to 9, Loblolly Pine is ideal for large properties, privacy screens, shade, and timber-style plantings. It performs best with full sun, reliable moisture during establishment, and soil that drains well.

How to Plant and Care for Fast Growing Pines

Fast growth depends on more than species selection. Fast-growing pines typically require full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture during their establishment years for optimal growth.

Site Selection and Soil Preparation

Choose a full sun location with well drained soil. Most pines prefer slightly acidic soil, often around 6.0 to 7.0 in many garden settings, though some perform best closer to 5.0 to 6.5 depending on species and local soil conditions.

Before planting, check mature height and mature width. Avoid crowding pines into tight spaces or placing large varieties too close to foundations, pavement, septic fields, or utilities. While pines are not usually selected for aggressive roots in the same way as some species, large trees still need space for strong root growth and stability.

Planting Techniques

Plant fast-growing trees in early spring or early fall to give their roots time to establish before extreme weather conditions. Spring and fall planting reduce stress from heat, drought, and winter cold.

When planting fast-growing trees, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and slightly shallower than the root ball’s height to ensure proper planting depth. Set the tree so the root collar sits at or just above soil level, then backfill carefully, water deeply, and apply a 3-4 inch mulch layer while keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

To support fast growth, water newly planted trees deeply and consistently during their first growing season, and apply mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Continue deep watering during the first 2 years, especially during dry spells.

Fertilize in early spring if soil tests show nutrient deficiencies, but avoid overfeeding late in the season. Prune only damaged, dead, or crossing branches. Heavy pruning can reduce foliage, slow growth, and weaken the natural form of young trees.

Shop Fast Growing Pine Trees From Yardwork

Explore Yardwork’s selection of fast growing pine trees for privacy, shade, wind protection, and year round structure, along with other popular evergreen privacy trees and shrubs. Our trees are chosen for strong growth, landscape performance, and immediate visual impact.

Need help choosing between pines, thuja green giant, green giant arborvitae, leyland cypress, italian cypress, wax myrtle, dawn redwood, or other evergreens? Green Giant Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress are among the fastest-growing evergreen trees, adding up to 2 to 3 feet of height per year in ideal conditions. Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are among the fastest-growing evergreens, adding up to 2 to 3 feet of height per year in ideal conditions, making them popular for privacy screens. Thuja Green Giant is a top choice for fast-growing privacy trees, capable of growing 3 to 5 feet per year, making it ideal for quick coverage.

Fast-growing privacy trees not only provide quick coverage but also improve air quality, provide shade, and attract wildlife, making them a beneficial addition to any landscape. Browse our pine tree collection online, visit trusted garden centers, or request expert consultation for California delivery and large out-of-state orders.

Your ideal fast growing pine is ready to bring height, privacy, and lasting structure to your landscape.