River Birch Tree

Native to North America, the river birch tree (Betula nigra) puts on a beautiful show during all four seasons. "Bright green leaves on semi-arching branches appear in the spring, followed by long, dangling seed pods in early summer," says Kate Walz, a gardening expert with KW Gardens & Flowers. "In the fall, the leaves turn a striking shade of yellow, and after they drop, the unique exfoliating bark on the trunk is revealed—which provides ornamental interest during the winter."

As the name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along riverbanks and wet areas in the United States. However, this tree can tolerate a variety of soil conditions in the landscape. Often grown as a multi-stemmed tree, its spreading limbs provide an overall pyramidal to oval shape.

Bald Cypress Trees

The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer and is special because it's the only conifer that sheds its needles in the fall. (That's how it got its name.) It also produces nice shade when full of foliage and has a high tolerance to air pollution and less-than-ideal soil conditions.

Palo Verde Tree

Speaking of fast-growing shade trees that can tolerate extreme conditions: The palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) is a desert native that produces an incredible show every spring via a burst of tiny yellow blooms. These flowers are so dense that they provide nice shade. When not blooming, the lush green leaves step in to provide respite from the desert sun. In the winter, when temperatures are cooler and days are shorter, it drops its leaves and becomes bare.

Tulip Tree, Tulip Flowers

As you may have guessed, the tulip tree (Liriodendron) gets its name because it produces blossoms that closely resemble springtime tulips. These buds are aromatic and are a golden-green hue ringed with vibrant orange. "The tulip tree, a member of the magnolia family, is one of the largest native trees in North America," says Walz. "Tulip trees are also the host plant for tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies."

Weeping Willow Trees

Though its name might sound sad, the beauty of this elegant tree is anything but. The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) features slender green and silver leaves that droop downward to create a cavern-like effect that's perfect for reading a good book, chatting with a friend, or enjoying a picnic under. It has a romantic, almost storybook appearance and thrives best at the water's edge.

Thuja Green Giant Trees

Thuja Green Giant (standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') is a large, fast-growing conifer that sports dense, dark green foliage. It takes on a pyramid shape via its flat splays and stays green throughout the year. "Thuja 'Green Giant' can quickly provide a lush, dense privacy screen that looks great all year round," says Walz. "It requires little or no pruning but can easily be sheared if necessary."

The Red Maple Trees

The red maple (Acer rubrum) is indigenous to the eastern United States, though it has spread in popularity across a great portion of the country. "The red maple is used in landscapes for its brilliant fall foliage," Pisegna says. "In the spring, this tree sports red male flowers and red samaras on female trees. Red maple leaves, twigs, and fruits provide a food source for many insects, birds, and mammals.”

Ficus Tree

The magnificent ficus tree (Ficus benjamina) grows at an incredibly fast rate and produces a dense display of glossy, dark green foliage. It provides not just wonderful shade but a haven for local birds who are happy to rest on its branches out of the sun's reach. Because of how quickly they grow, it's important to be strategic when planting this tree; its roots can stretch far.

American Elm Tree

The American elm (Ulmus americana) is native to the eastern United States and provides an elegant, umbrella-shaped canopy and a crown of leaves that cast dense shade. "This is an iconic American tree with large specimens still present in Central Park and along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.," Watkins says. "Disease-resistant cultivars are sold in nurseries, making it possible to grow a piece of American history in your backyard."

Red Maple Trees

Deciduous trees are defined by their seasonal shedding of leaves, which they do to prepare for winter dormancy. These towering plants often fill yards with multiple seasons of interest, from foliage that changes color throughout summer and fall to exfoliating bark that adds beauty to the winter landscape. One downside? Many deciduous tree species can be slow-growing. To help you reap the beauty of these trees without the wait time, consider these expert picks for fast-growing deciduous trees that can grow up to 3 feet a year.

Maple Trees

Maple Trees have brown bark, small winged fruits, & reddish-brown twigs. It also has green lobed leaves that change their color to red, yellow & orange in fall.

Tulip Flowers, Tulip Tree

Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a tall variety with bright green leaves and yellow-green tulip-like flowers, hence the name. "Fall foliage will be shades of golden yellow for this Eastern North American tree," says Mark Canney, urban forester at the Arbor Day Foundation. Avoid overwatering this variety and ensure it gets full sun for better blooming.

American Sycamore Tree

Known for its large, maple-shaped leaves, American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) has clusters of beautiful flowers that appear in spring. "However, its most distinguishable feature is the marbled gray, cinnamon, and creamy-white bark," says Canney, adding that this tough, adaptable tree is consistently long-lived.

Bald Cypress Tree

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer with a feathery appearance. It's native to the Southeastern U.S. and resembles a needled evergreen during the growing season before transitioning into a russet color by fall, says Canney. This variety can grow in both wet and dry conditions.

Northern Catalpa Tree

Looking for a fast-growing showstopper? Consider northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). "Known for its height and large heart-shaped leaves, this forest favorite looks tropical with its white-to-purple hue of flowers that bloom from May to June and fill the air with sweet fragrance," says Canney. "In late summer or autumn. fruit will appear."

Red Oak Green Tree

Red oak (Quercus rubru) is an iconic tree with an attractive, broad, rounded canopy of dark green leaves. "The leaves are known for their fall colors, which put on a show of shades of red, burgundy, and copper," says Canney. "Fun fact: The oldest of the red oaks may live to 300 to 500 years of age."

Red Maple Tree

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is a fast-growing deciduous tree that boasts rounded, green leaves and showy red flowers from March to April, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. She says that you shouldn't plant red maple by sidewalks or driveways because of its shallow root system.

Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a large deciduous tree native to the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada. "Sugar maples are famed for their distinctive leaves (think: Canadian flag) that explode into ideal fall colors supported by the smooth gray bark of the trunk," says Canney. "In optimal conditions, sugar maple trees can live for several centuries, with some individuals exceeding 400 years of age."

American Sweetgum Tree

American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a woody deciduous tree that's often found in wet river bottoms and swamps, as well as on drier uplands. "It's noted for the star-like leaves and hard, spiked fruits with fall color that resemble embers of a fire," says Canney. "Regular care is essential, including regular watering, especially during periods of drought, and essential during the tree’s establishment phase."

Weeping Willow Tree

Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is beloved for its beautiful crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground, says Langelo. "This tree is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate trees. These appear in silvery green catkins," she says. Weeping willows aren't very cold-hardy and are only moderately drought-tolerant.