17 Fast Growing Tree Seeds to Buy Online

Growing trees from seed is an affordable and rewarding way to add shade, beauty, privacy, and wildlife habitat to your property. While some trees can take years to reach an impressive size, many species are surprisingly fast growers once they become established.

Starting with seeds also gives you the opportunity to grow multiple trees at a fraction of the cost of purchasing large nursery specimens. The key is choosing species known for vigorous growth and providing the seeds with the proper germination conditions.

If you want to start growing trees at home, here are 17 fast-growing tree seeds to buy online.

1. Royal Empress Tree

The Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is famous for its rapid growth. Under favorable conditions, young trees can put on several feet of growth during a single growing season.

These trees develop enormous heart-shaped leaves and attractive lavender-purple flowers in spring. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Because Royal Empress Trees can spread aggressively in some regions, check local recommendations before planting.

2. Northern Catalpa

Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is an excellent choice if you want a large, fast-growing shade tree.

It produces huge heart-shaped leaves, showy clusters of white flowers, and distinctive long seed pods. Once established, Northern Catalpa can grow quickly and eventually develop into an impressive landscape tree.

The seeds are relatively straightforward to start, making this species an interesting choice for gardeners who enjoy growing trees from seed.

3. Tulip Tree

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), also called Tulip Poplar, is one of the tallest native hardwood trees in eastern North America.

Young trees can grow rapidly when planted in moist, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight. The tree gets its name from its unusual tulip-shaped flowers and distinctive four-lobed leaves.

Tulip Tree seeds generally benefit from a period of cold, moist stratification before planting.

4. Eastern Cottonwood

If rapid growth is your main goal, Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) deserves consideration.

Cottonwoods are among the fastest-growing native trees in North America. They thrive in sunny locations and naturally occur around rivers, floodplains, and other areas with abundant moisture.

Keep in mind that these trees eventually become very large, so they need plenty of room.

5. Black Locust

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a tough, fast-growing tree capable of handling challenging growing conditions.

It produces fragrant clusters of white flowers that are extremely attractive to pollinators. Mature trees can also provide excellent shade.

Black Locust seeds have a hard seed coat and usually require scarification or another recommended pretreatment to improve germination.

6. American Sycamore

American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a magnificent native shade tree known for its enormous size and attractive peeling bark.

Young sycamores can grow rapidly when provided with adequate moisture and sunlight. Mature trees develop a broad canopy and distinctive mottled trunks containing patches of white, tan, gray, and brown.

Because of their eventual size, sycamores are best suited to large properties.

7. Dawn Redwood

Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) combines fast growth with an unusual prehistoric appearance.

Unlike most conifers, Dawn Redwood is deciduous. Its soft green needles turn attractive shades of bronze and reddish-brown before dropping in fall.

The trees prefer moist soil and can grow quickly once established.

8. River Birch

River Birch (Betula nigra) is an attractive native tree prized for its peeling, textured bark.

It naturally grows near streams and other moist environments but adapts well to many landscape situations. River Birch grows relatively quickly and can develop into an attractive shade or specimen tree.

It is especially useful for properties with consistently moist areas.

9. Silver Maple

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) has long been planted where fast shade is desired.

This native maple can grow rapidly and eventually develop a broad canopy. Its deeply cut leaves have silvery undersides that become noticeable when they move in the wind.

Because mature Silver Maples become large trees with extensive root systems, they should be planted well away from structures and underground utilities.

10. Red Maple

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) offers a combination of relatively fast growth and beautiful seasonal color.

The species is native across a large portion of eastern North America and adapts to a variety of growing conditions. Depending on the individual tree and growing environment, fall foliage may display brilliant shades of yellow, orange, or red.

Seeds may require specific pretreatment depending on when they were collected and the seed source.

11. Eastern White Pine

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is an excellent option for gardeners looking for a fast-growing evergreen tree.

Young trees can put on substantial growth once established. Their soft, flexible needles grow in bundles of five and give the trees a graceful appearance.

Eastern White Pines are useful for windbreaks, privacy plantings, wildlife habitat, and large landscapes.

12. Loblolly Pine

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is one of the most important and rapidly growing pine species in the southeastern United States.

When grown in suitable climates, young Loblolly Pines can establish quickly and develop into tall evergreen trees.

They perform best in full sun and are particularly useful for larger properties, naturalized areas, windbreaks, and wildlife plantings.

13. Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress is widely known for its fast growth and dense evergreen foliage.

It is commonly planted to create privacy screens and windbreaks because the trees can quickly develop substantial height.

Because Leyland Cypress is a hybrid, trees grown from seed may not come true to the characteristics of the parent plants. For predictable Leyland Cypress characteristics, vegetatively propagated plants are generally preferred.

14. Eucalyptus

Many Eucalyptus species are remarkably fast growers when planted in warm climates.

Their attractive foliage, distinctive fragrance, and rapid growth have made them popular ornamental trees in suitable regions.

Cold tolerance varies dramatically among Eucalyptus species, so choose seeds from a species appropriate for your climate before planting.

15. Mimosa Tree

Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin) is known for its tropical-looking foliage and fluffy pink summer flowers.

Young trees grow rapidly under warm, sunny conditions. The seeds have a hard outer coating and typically benefit from scarification or hot-water treatment before planting.

Mimosa can become invasive in parts of the United States, so check its status in your region before growing it.

16. Weeping Willow

Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) is famous for its graceful, cascading branches and exceptionally fast growth.

Willows perform particularly well in moist locations and are frequently associated with ponds, streams, and other bodies of water.

These trees need considerable space because they develop extensive root systems and large crowns.

17. Giant Sequoia

Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) may ultimately become one of the largest trees on Earth.

Although growing one from seed requires patience, young Giant Sequoias can grow surprisingly quickly under favorable conditions. They prefer sunny locations with adequate moisture and plenty of room for long-term development.

Giant Sequoia seeds commonly benefit from cold, moist stratification before sowing.

Tips for Growing Fast-Growing Trees From Seed

Fast-growing genetics won't help much if seedlings don't receive appropriate care. Before sowing any tree seed, research the germination requirements for that particular species.

Some seeds can be planted shortly after soaking, while others require cold stratification, warm stratification, scarification, or combinations of treatments before they will germinate.

Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light while maintaining appropriate moisture. Avoid keeping the growing medium constantly waterlogged unless the species specifically prefers wet conditions.

Seedlings grown indoors should also be gradually hardened off before being permanently planted outside.

Choosing the Right Fast-Growing Tree

Growth speed shouldn't be the only consideration when selecting tree seeds.

Think about the tree's mature height and width, USDA hardiness zone, sunlight requirements, moisture needs, root system, and distance from buildings or utility lines.

A tree that grows quickly can become a problem just as quickly when planted in the wrong location.

Native species are especially worth considering because they can provide valuable food and habitat for local birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

How Long Does It Take a Tree Seed to Grow?

There isn't one answer because growth rates vary enormously among species.

Some fast-growing trees may gain several feet per year under excellent conditions, while others grow more moderately during their first few seasons before accelerating.

Climate, soil quality, sunlight, water, competition, and genetics all influence growth.

Remember that fast-growing doesn't mean instant. Even vigorous trees need time to establish strong root systems.

Where to Buy Fast-Growing Tree Seeds Online

When shopping for tree seeds online, look for sellers that clearly identify the species by both its common and botanical names.

Seed listings should also provide useful information about germination requirements, pretreatment, hardiness, and growing conditions.

Most importantly, choose tree species suited to your climate and available planting space rather than selecting a tree based on growth rate alone.

Final Thoughts

Growing trees from seed allows you to watch the entire life cycle of a tree unfold, beginning with something small enough to hold between your fingertips.

If rapid growth is important, species such as Northern Catalpa, Tulip Tree, Eastern Cottonwood, American Sycamore, Dawn Redwood, Eastern White Pine, and Loblolly Pine are all worth researching.

Choose the right species for your property, follow its specific seed pretreatment and germination requirements, and give young seedlings the conditions they need to establish successfully.

With a little patience and proper care, today's handful of seeds can eventually become tomorrow's shade trees, privacy screens, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat.