What kind of tree gives good shade and does not take too long to grow?

Question

By too long I mean like, 10-50 years. I want a tree that shades in 5 years or less. If you only know the name of one, that's fine because I can look it up. Thanks to all who answer :).

I live in eastern Virginia, away from the shore.

Answer 1

Almond, Hall's Hardy (Prunus dulcis)
With masses of pretty spring blossoms, this almond is hardier and has thicker-shelled nuts than commercial varieties. Grows to 15'. (Self-fertile, plant two trees to ensure pollination, bears in 3-5 years.) (zones 5-8)
https://www.arborday.org/Trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ID=103

The honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) makes a wonderful shade tree for poor dry soils. Among other benefits, its small leaflets let light filter through so it may be possible to have a healthier lawn underneath. With many cultivars, its leaves turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. Look for the thornless cultivars 'Imperial,' 'Skyline' and 'Sunburst'
http://www.gbbg.org/treesandshrubs-ornamentaltrees.htm
The pyramid-shaped Honey Locust ( grows 3 or 4 feet a year to a mature height of 35 to 75 feet tall. Its bright green leaves are ferny so it does not cast a lot of shade allowing a lawn to grow beneath it.
http://www.hotgardens.net/fast_growing_trees.htm
http://www.horticlick.com/p/gleditsia_triacanthos_skyline1.html
http://www.nhgardencenter.com/locust-tree.html

Here's a site of fast growing trees: Willow, Tulip Popular, Silver Maple, Red Mulberry, Bradford Pear, Catalpa
http://www.naturehills.com/new/product/trees_subcategories.aspx?catname=Fast+Growing

Top 3 Fast-Growing Shade Trees
River Birches ...These fast-growing trees bear yellow foliage in autumn and also have an attractive bark.
Sawtooth Oaks, Red Maples
http://landscaping.about.com/od/shadetrees/tp/shade_trees.htm

Good luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

If you are wanting "quick" shade,then go with a couple of Hybrid Poplars. I've planted them before for the same reason. They grow at a rate of about 3~4 foot/year,but if fertilized can grow up to 5 foot/year. Another plus is that in the spring you can take a cutting from a branch(preferably a straight branch) soak it it water with a little Miracle Grow,and roots will develop,giving you yet another tree to plant. The downside is they are weak(soft wood) trees and can be toppled by the wind once they get to be 20+ feet.

Answer 3

Chinese Elm and Mulberry. Fruit trees bought in at least 10 gal. buckets. Pine trees will stay green in winter, the Mondale Pine grows pretty fast.

Answer 4

Mulberry will grow fast enough for you to have great shade in just a couple years, but be sure it is the fruitless variety or you will have to deal with small black "berries" which will drive you mad!

Answer 5

Any Acacia spp. will provide shade before you know it..try the grey-leafed species for a broader dome.

Answer 6

Fruitless mulberry and camphor trees both grow very fast.

Answer 7

Poplar or Aspen.

Bert