Looking for trees to grow quickly?
In this blog post, we aim to give you exactly that.
Whether you’re looking for trees to give you privacy from neighbours or are just starting off on a building project; these trees will shoot up.
Here at Parkswood Tree Centre, we have a fast growing trees ready for YOU..
7 Fastest Growing Trees in Ireland
- Alnus glutinosa, the common alder
- Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycammore
- Acer camprestre, the field maple
- Prunus avium, the wild cherry
- Prunus padus, the bird cherry
- Malus sylvestrus, crab apple tree
- Laurus nobilis, bay laurel
Alnus glutinosa, the common alder
Alnus glutinosa, or the common alder tree is a native decidious tree to Ireland, that is fast growing and suitable to a wide range of soil types, including heavy wet conditions.It will grow in both industrial and coastal areas. The wood of the alder is pale red brown ,with a fine texture turning red orange when cut. This tree has a dark oval shaped green leaf, with clusters of catkins hanging from its finer branches in autumn.
The alder is a very fast growing tree reaching up to 20 metres in 15 years. It can be grown in a line to give a screening effect, or as an individual specimen. It can also be grown in a grouping with other trees to create a woodland , or grove effect.
The alder is very much associated with Irish folklore and place names, with Ferns in county Wexford being called after the alder tree.
Alder has nitrogen fixing nodules on its roots which lead to improved soil fertility.
Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycammore
This is a fast growing tree that will establish in the ground quickly. It can be planted having been grown in a pot, or barerooted. The sycammore is a very adaptable decidious tree and will grow in most soil types be it fertile soil or damp heavy ground. This tree can reach a height of 10 metres in fifteen years with a crown spread of 2 to 3 metres.
The sycammore makes an excellent wind break and is a prominent sight growing in exposed parts of Ireland either as a single tree or part of a grove of sycammores.
When planting dig a hole a little bigger than the rootball to allow the roots of the tree to grow.
Once the tree is planted backfill with good top soil and firm the root into the hole. A stake is then driven next to the tree, being careful not to damage the roots, and a rubber tie is secured to the tree and stake.
Acer camprestre, the field maple
The field maple tree is another fast growing tree that will thrive in all but very wet ground. Its mostnotable feature is a very coarse bark with corkey fissures. The field maple can be grown as anindividual specimen tree, or planted in a group scheme with other species.
It has a small maple leaf with curved lobes, and excellent all year colour. In spring time the leaves are a soft green turning golden yellow in autumn.
This variety of maple can be pruned severely, and so is often used as a hedging species. It can be used as a single species or incorporated in to a mixed native hedge. The other species of native hedging plants which can be used with field maple are hawthorn, holly , beech, and hazel.
Prunus avium, the wild cherry
The wild cherry is a very attractive native tree that will reach a height of 15 to 20 metres in asmany years.
The prunus avium grows best in well drained and slightly acidic soils. The tree will tolerate most locations, but avoid planting in an exposed coastal site, as the salt air may damage the leaves.
One of the attractions of this tree is its rich red brown bark, and bright white flowers which appear in spring. From these flowers, small red berries follow in autumn, which provide a food source for birds. The green leaves turn golden yellow, in autumn, giving a stunning display.
Prunus padus, the bird cherry
This is a small native cherry tree. It wil grow in any soil type , except a waterlogged location. The tree will produce oval shaped lime green leaves in spring with bunches of white flowers in spring.
The berries although bitter, are a food source for wild birds.
Prunus padus is a medium sized tree growing to a maxium height of approx. 5 to 8 metres in 15 years. If you decide to plant a native hedge this plant can be incorporated into it as it can take severe pruning.
Malus sylvestrus, crab apple tree
Malus sylvestrus is our native crab apple tree. This tree grows in abundance through out Ireland.
A crab apple tree in full bloom in spring is a wonderful sight , and a source of food for insects, as they are rich in nectar. There are many localised species of crab trees particular to certain areas.
Crab trees can be found in hedgerows, farm settings, villages and towns.
From the blossom small apples appear on the trees by mid summer , and can be picked in autumn time to make crab apple jelly.
Crab apple trees can be planted from small bare root stock, from any good nursery. They establish quickly, and are not particular about site or ground conditions, but do not like water logged ground.
As the tree grows it develops a rounded grown , rather than a straight upright shape.
The crab apples are usually ready to be picked from the tree through out the month of September.
They can often be seen as wind falls spread beneath the tree during this time of year.
Like many other native trees, crab apples can be planted with and incorporated in to a native hedge and cut to the required size. The crab plants could also be allowed to grow in to mature trees with in the hedge.
Laurus nobilis, bay laurel
Laurus nobilis, the bay laurel is one of the most useful and versatile plants you can grow. It is ever green retaining its leaves all year round giving clusters of dark green aromatic and dense foliage.
Its history: Laurus nobilis was a plant which was part of the vast forest basin which covered much of the mediterrean basis in ancient times.
Its uses: laurus nobilis has a wide range of uses. It can be planted as a specimen shrub or tree in your garden, and clipped or pruned to a desired shape. It can also make an excellent hedge with a deep green colour all year colour. Because its so versatile you can leave it as a loose evergreen screen or prune it to a particular shape.
As a potted tree or shrub: The bay tree is probably one of the most popular trees to grow in a container. It can be grown into a multiple of different shapes, the most favoured being the looly pop shape, thats a single stem with a clipped ball shape on top.
How to grow a containerised bay tree
Firstly choose a healthy plant from your nursery or tree
centre. Choose a large container ( possibly a 40 litre earthenware container ), big enough to allow your bay tree to grow. To allow for drainage put some stones in the base of the container, broken slates placed flat in the base of the container , with stones in between are very good to allow excess water to flow out the hole in the bottom of the pot.
Now fill the container with a compost mix. The mix should contain two thirds moss peat, with the remainder consisting of good top soil and horticultural sand. This mix should prevent the tree from drying out during warm weather. Next, make a hole into the centre of the compost and plant in the bay tree, then back fill the compost.
Container grown trees and shrubs can dry out very quickly, as sunlight on the container, even during the winter months can dry the tree out. Rain water alone is usually not sufficient , so you need to water the tree on a regular basis. Position your container bay tree in full or partial sun , avoid a windy spot to prevent it being blown over.
How to choose the fastest growing tree for you
Hopefully , you now have a good sense of your options for trees that grow quickly in Ireland.
| Tree | Max Height | Growth Rate | Maintenance | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) | Up to 20 metres | Very Fast | Low | Suitable for a wide range of soil types, nitrogen fixing nodules on roots improve soil fertility |
| Sycamore (Acer pseudoplat) | 10 metres in 15 years | Fast | Low to Moderate | Adaptable, excellent wind break |
| Field Maple (Acer campestre) | Varies | Fast | Low | Coarse bark with corky fissures, excellent all year colour |
| Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) | 15 to 20 metres | Moderate to Fast | Moderate | Rich red brown bark, bright white flowers, provides food source for birds |
| Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) | 5 to 8 metres | Moderate | Low | Small native cherry, white flowers in spring, berries for wild birds |
| Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) | Varies | Moderate | Low | Blossom in spring, source of food for insects, crab apples for jelly |
| Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) | Varies | Moderate | Low to Moderate | Evergreen, aromatic and dense foliage, can be grown in a container |
If you would like some further guidance, please get in contact with us to choose the best trees for you.
Unsure what tree to choose? Book a 15 minute consultation
With over 25 years experience with Parkswood Tree Centre, Ciaran has been guiding homeowners, builders and more to choose the best trees & hedges for their project.
Get the best advice for your space today.
