how fast does yellow pine grow?

Answer 1

Depends on your idea of fast. Paper companies use yellow pine to grow to clear cut for paper making. Then after the clear cut they replant yellow pine for the next go-round.

Of course, the conditions the tree has are important-- food, water both impact on speed of growth. If you want a tree to hang a hammock between? 5-6 years. To be a quick screen-- popular-- the tall skinny trees-- they also die quickly-- 10 years or so--
Any tree that grows quickly seems to have "weak" wood-- you wouldn't use that yellow pine for a axe handle for instance-- it'd break pretty quickly with use. Common maple trees also grow fast and break easily in wind storms-- So, you can talk to a nursery about what your needs are-- or drive around after a big wind storm and find out which trees survived the best. Of course there are other considerations-- but I suggest you talk with a nursery operator and or your agriculture university-- they'll have leaflets of best trees for your zone.
Good luck