Hey there, fellow garden lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘ve probably spent countless hours scrolling through Pinterest, saving photos of lush, tree-filled landscapes and dreaming of the day your yard could look that way. The only problem? Most of us don‘t have decades to wait for saplings to grow into majestic shade trees.
That‘s why I got so excited when I discovered Fast Growing Trees, an online nursery that specializes in trees and shrubs that provide near-instant gratification. I mean, they‘re not magic beans, but these plants can seriously transform your space in just a few short seasons.
I‘ve ordered from Fast Growing Trees several times over the past few years, and I‘m always impressed with the quality of plants and the level of service. So I thought I‘d put together this in-depth Fast Growing Trees review to share my experiences and help you decide if they‘re the right fit for your landscaping goals.
What is Fast Growing Trees?
Fast Growing Trees is an online nursery that ships live plants directly to your door. While they offer all sorts of trees, shrubs, and perennials, their specialty is right in the name – they curate varieties that have exceptionally fast growth rates.
The company was founded back in 2004 by a group of passionate horticulturists and landscapers who were frustrated by the slow turnaround times in the industry. They wanted to make it easier for homeowners to enjoy a beautiful, tree-filled property without spending years coaxing along slow-growing saplings.
By focusing on species that can add significant height or width in a short time, Fast Growing Trees helps people achieve their dream outdoor spaces much faster than traditional methods. Some of their most popular trees can grow up to 6 feet per year!
The Fast Growing Trees Difference
Aside from the quick-developing varieties, there are a few other key things that set Fast Growing Trees apart from your run-of-the-mill nursery:
Careful Growing Practices
Fast Growing Trees doesn‘t just source the fastest-growing plants – they also take great care in how they raise them. Many of their trees are grown using a proprietary process that results in stronger root systems and healthier plants overall.
When you order from Fast Growing Trees, you‘re not getting a tiny sapling that needs to be babied. These are well-established, thriving young trees that are ready to take off when planted in your yard.
Direct to Door Delivery
One of the biggest pain points of buying trees is figuring out how to get them home from the nursery. Short of borrowing a truck, it can be really tricky to transport a delicate young tree without damaging it.
Fast Growing Trees eliminates this hassle by shipping your plants directly to your door. They take great care in packaging each order to ensure the trees arrive in pristine condition. All you have to do is tear open the box and get planting!
Plant Experts on Call
As much as we all like to think we have a green thumb, the reality is that most of us are not professional arborists. And that‘s okay! Luckily, Fast Growing Trees has a team of plant experts on staff to answer all your burning questions.
Whether you need help choosing the right tree for your climate, or you‘re unsure about how to properly prune your new hedge, their friendly support team is just a call or email away. They really go above and beyond to make sure their customers feel confident in caring for their plants.
Top Fast Growing Trees Varieties
Alright, let‘s dig into the good stuff – the trees! Fast Growing Trees offers a huge selection of shade trees, privacy trees, flowering trees, and more. Here‘s a closer look at some of their best-selling varieties:
Shade Trees
One of the most common reasons people seek out fast growing trees is to add some shade to their yard ASAP. These picks can create a lovely canopy in just a few years:
| Tree | Growth Rate | Mature Size |
|---|---|---|
| October Glory Red Maple | 3-5 ft/year | 40-50 ft tall, 30-40 ft wide |
| Tulip Poplar | 6 ft/year | 70-90 ft tall, 30-50 ft wide |
| Northern Red Oak | 2-3 ft/year | 60-75 ft tall, 45 ft wide |
| Weeping Willow | 6-8 ft/year | 30-40 ft tall, 35 ft wide |
Privacy Trees
If your goal is to create a natural privacy screen, you can‘t go wrong with one of these fast growing evergreens:
| Tree | Growth Rate | Mature Size |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | 3-5 ft/year | 30-40 ft tall, 10-12 ft wide |
| Leyland Cypress | 3-4 ft/year | 60-70 ft tall, 15-25 ft wide |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 2-3 ft/year | 10-15 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide |
| Wax Myrtle | 3-5 ft/year | 15-20 ft tall, 15 ft wide |
Flowering Trees
For a pop of color and fragrance in record time, check out these ornamental stunners:
| Tree | Growth Rate | Mature Size |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Magnolia | 1-2 ft/year | 15-20 ft tall, 12 ft wide |
| Muskogee Crape Myrtle | 2-3 ft/year | 15-20 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide |
| Eastern Redbud | 1-2 ft/year | 20-30 ft tall, 25-30 ft wide |
| Kwanzan Cherry | 1-2 ft/year | 30-40 ft tall, 30-40 ft wide |
As you can see, these are far from flimsy seedlings – even the more moderately-paced growers can reach impressive heights in a short time. And with Fast Growing Trees, you‘re getting high quality specimens that are primed to thrive.
Ordering from Fast Growing Trees
I‘ve ordered several trees from Fast Growing Trees over the years, and I can honestly say it‘s one of the most user-friendly experiences in online plant shopping. Here‘s how it typically goes:
Step 1: Browse and Select
The Fast Growing Trees website has an extensive selection of trees and shrubs, conveniently organized by category. You can filter by growth rate, mature size, sunlight needs, and more to find the perfect fit.
Each product page includes helpful details like growth rate, planting instructions, and customer reviews. They even specify the ideal growing zones so you can be sure the plant will thrive in your climate.
Step 2: Customize Your Order
Once you‘ve landed on a tree you love, you can choose the size and quantity you‘d like. Fast Growing Trees offers several sizes for each variety, from small saplings to more mature specimens.
At checkout, you also have the option to add a 1-year warranty for peace of mind. I always spring for this, especially on larger orders – it‘s saved me a couple of times when trees didn‘t take off as expected.
Step 3: Shipping and Delivery
After your order is placed, Fast Growing Trees gets to work hand-picking and prepping your plants for shipment. Most orders ship within just a few days, although some seasonal varieties may have a later ship date.
Shipping costs are calculated based on the size and quantity of your order, but I‘ve found them to be quite reasonable compared to lugging home trees from a nursery. Plus, Fast Growing Trees frequently offers free shipping promotions if you hit a certain order minimum.
I‘m always amazed at how well-packaged the plants are when they arrive. They‘re nestled securely in boxes with protective wrapping, and the soil is contained in moisture-locking bags to keep the roots damp in transit.
Step 4: Planting and Care
This is where the real fun starts! Fast Growing Trees includes detailed planting and care instructions with each order, so even novice gardeners can feel confident getting their trees in the ground.
All the trees I‘ve received have been in fantastic shape upon arrival, with healthy, well-developed root systems. I‘ve followed the included directions for planting and watering, and I‘ve had excellent luck with my Fast Growing Trees taking off.
On the rare occasion that I‘ve had an issue with a tree not perking up after planting, Fast Growing Trees has been quick to send a free replacement under their 1-year warranty. I really can‘t overstate how refreshing their customer service is in an industry where "live goods" are often non-refundable.
Fast Growing Trees vs. Brick & Mortar Nurseries
If you‘re weighing your tree-buying options, you might be wondering how Fast Growing Trees stacks up against traditional nurseries. While there are pros and cons to each, here are a few key reasons I‘ve become a loyal Fast Growing Trees customer:
Selection: It‘s rare to find a local nursery with a wide variety of fast-growing species. They might have a few quick growers, but the selection pales in comparison to Fast Growing Trees.
Convenience: With Fast Growing Trees, I can shop for plants any time, anywhere. No more arranging to borrow a truck or sweet-talking my husband into heavy lifting. The trees show up right at my front door!
Quality: In my experience, the trees from Fast Growing Trees are consistently healthier and better-established than what I‘ve found at big box garden centers. You can tell they take great care in raising and packaging their plants.
Expertise: The Fast Growing Trees website is a wealth of knowledge on selecting and caring for trees. And if you can‘t find an answer there, their customer service team is just a call or email away. I‘ve gotten better tree care advice from them than from my local nurseries.
Of course, there‘s something to be said for picking out plants in person if you prefer a more hands-on shopping experience. And it‘s always good to support local small businesses when you can. But if fast growth is your goal, I think Fast Growing Trees is the clear winner.
Real Fast Growing Trees Results
Seeing is believing, right? Well, I can tell you firsthand that my Fast Growing Trees have made a world of difference in my landscape in just a few short years.
I started with a handful of Thuja Green Giants along the back of my property line about three years ago. When they arrived, they were about 4 feet tall – a far cry from the mature privacy hedge I was envisioning. But I trusted the growth rate stats and got them in the ground.
Fast forward to today, and those Green Giants are pushing 12 feet tall and nearly touching to form a lush evergreen wall. I couldn‘t believe how quickly they added height and filled in – we went from feeling exposed to our backyard neighbors to total privacy in just three seasons!
I‘ve had similar success with my October Glory Maple, Kwanzan Cherry, and Emerald Green Arborvitaes. All of the Fast Growing Trees I‘ve planted have delivered on their promised growth rates, and then some. My yard has never looked better or more mature.
But you don‘t have to just take my word for it – a quick browse through the Fast Growing Trees site reveals tons of customer before-and-after photos that showcase seriously impressive transformations. It‘s clear that I‘m far from the only one who‘s had great results.
Fast Growing Trees FAQ
To wrap up this monster Fast Growing Trees review, I thought I‘d answer some of the most common questions I hear about this company. Let‘s dive in:
How long does Fast Growing Trees take to ship?
In my experience, most orders ship within 1-2 business days, unless the trees are on a seasonal hold. You‘ll get an estimated ship date when you place your order, and the trees typically arrive within just a few days of that.
Does Fast Growing Trees have a guarantee?
Yes, all trees are covered under a 30-day guarantee. If you‘re not satisfied with the condition of your plant when it arrives, you can contact customer service for a free replacement. You also have the option to add a 1-year extended warranty at checkout for extra protection.
Are Fast Growing Trees actually fast?
In a word, YES. While growth rates vary by species, I‘ve found that my Fast Growing Trees have absolutely lived up to their promised pace, if not exceeded it. These are the real deal for impatient gardeners like myself.
Can I buy Fast Growing Trees in stores?
No, Fast Growing Trees is an online-only nursery. But honestly, I think that‘s a big part of their appeal. No more awkwardly wrestling trees into your car – they come straight to your door!
The Final Verdict
So, is Fast Growing Trees legit? In my opinion, 100% yes. I‘ve had consistently positive experiences with their quality, service, and results. The trees are the healthiest I‘ve found online, the growth rates are as advertised, and their customer support is top-notch.
Of course, no online plant vendor is perfect. Shipping live trees is always a bit of a gamble. But I think Fast Growing Trees does everything in their power to set you up for success, between their careful growing practices, diligent packaging, and generous guarantee.
So if you‘ve been daydreaming of a lusher, more tree-filled landscape, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Fast Growing Trees a try. Just be warned – once you see how easy it is to get a professionally-grown tree delivered to your door, you might get hooked on the instant gratification!
I hope you‘ve found this Fast Growing Trees review helpful as you weigh your options. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to chat trees. Happy planting!
