Fall offers a great opportunity to plant trees. Newly planted trees can establish themselves strongly and quickly in warm, moist soils and enjoy the cooler temperatures of early fall. There are no better trees to pick than native ones, and here is our pick of fast-growing trees to plant in September that are native to the states.
Whether or not fall is the ideal time to plant trees may depend on your climate. Any plant needs time to develop roots before freezing temperatures arrive, so ideally, plant them 4-6 weeks before your average first frost date.
If you have planting native trees on your fall gardening checklist, it can be beneficial to pick those known to grow quickly – and there is quite a selection to choose from. Here we highlight seven fast-growing trees to plant in September, including what makes these native trees so great and some planting tips to help them thrive in their new home.
Fast-growing trees to plant in September
Fast-growing flowering trees can begin to put on a show in their early years and will be impressive for decades to come. Picking the best native tree for your yard depends on your space, climate, and soil type, so ensure that any tree is suitable for your garden.
Whether you want a tree for spring blooms, fruit, fall color, or all of the above, there are options in our list of fast-growing trees to plant in September.
1. River birch
River birch (Betula nigra) is also known as black birch, and it is a native tree to the eastern US. There are over 60 types of birch trees around the world, and river birch is a popular fast-growing variety that is resistant to the bronze birch borer, a problematic and serious pest of birches.
There are many reasons to plant river birches this month, even beyond their resistance to pests. River birches offer interest throughout the seasons, but come into their own in fall and winter. The dark foliage turns a lovely yellow shade in the fall, and the pink bark peels away to reveal a lighter, inner, attractive winter bark.
The River Birch is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow to 40-60 feet tall and 30 feet wide, and it is suitable for US hardiness zones 4-9. It is a tree that prefers full sun or partial shade and can tolerate a variety of soil types, including wet soils or rain gardens.
You can get a fast-growing Heritage River Birch at Fast Growing Trees that is highly adaptable and tolerates both wet and dry sites.
2. Tulip tree
The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is in the magnolia family – and not related to tulips – and is one of the largest native trees in North America. It gets its name from the tulip-shaped flowers that appear in shades of yellow-green in late spring or early summer.
A tulip tree is a fast-growing tree that can reach 60-80 feet at maturity, with a broad canopy spanning 30-40 feet. It has large lobed leaves that resemble the shape of a violin (it is sometimes known as the fiddle tree as a result), and the seed clusters sit upright on branches. The tree then turns a gorgeous golden color in the fall.
You can grow a tulip tree by planting one in the early fall, provided there is enough time for roots to develop before the onset of winter. A tulip tree is suited for US hardiness zones 5-9 and ideally wants at least six hours of sunlight daily.
You can find live Liriodendron tulipifera seedlings at Amazon to plant in September.
3. Eastern redbud
The native eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) makes one of the best trees for spring blossom, as they are one of the first to flower each year.
They are covered with bright pink and purple blooms from March onwards that are adored by pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, who are out looking for food during early spring.
Eastern redbuds can grow 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide, but homeowners can prune a redbud tree to keep the size to a more manageable level. Suitable for US hardiness zones 4-9, redbuds like moist, well-draining soil in a part-shade spot in the garden. They can grow in full sun, but will want protection from the afternoon sun in warmer climates.
You can get a 4-5-foot live container-grown Eastern redbud tree at Nature Hills to plant in your garden this month. It is a fast-growing tree that can grow around two feet a year in optimal conditions.
4. Northern catalpa
The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is native to the midwestern United States and is a fast-growing deciduous tree with a lifespan of around 60 years.
A catalpa always impresses with arching branches filled with large heart-shaped leaves, which turn yellow before shedding in early fall, and showy blooms. If you want a tree that attracts hummingbirds, a catalpa will undoubtedly do that with their fragrant, white, orchid-like flowers in late spring and early summer.
Northern catalpa can reach 60-70 feet high and 20-40 feet wide, growing around two feet per year, and is suitable for US hardiness zones 4-8.
You can get a potted northern catalpa sapling at Amazon to add to your backyard ideas in September. Plant it in a sunny spot in well-draining soil to add an attractive tree for shade to your garden.
5. Crabapple
If you are looking for an attractive tree for all seasons that can thrive happily in a smaller space, then consider growing a crabapple tree.
With a crabapple, you get spring blossoms in colors from white to red, ornamental shapes and shade to relax in during summer, and then small fruits in the fall that reach the size of a golf ball and can either be used to make jelly or left for wildlife to enjoy.
You want to plant crabapple trees in a sunny location in US hardiness zones 3-8. As well as in the ground, crabapples also make low-maintenance trees for pots, provided you choose a dwarf variety. Speaking of size, crabapples come in various sizes, ranging from dwarf varieties reaching three feet to full-size trees that can get up to 30 feet.
Native types of crabapple include sweet crabapple, Pacific crabapple, southern crabapple, and prairie crabapple. You can get live container-grown southern crabapple trees at Amazon that produce fragrant pink blossoms in spring.
6. Serviceberry
Serviceberries (Amelanchier) are small deciduous trees that offer interest throughout the seasons.
The annual show from this under-rated tree starts with a spectacular white blossom in spring – though some types have pink blooms – which is followed by small, dark berries in summer, then the foliage turns a bright red or orange come fall.
It is also a great tree for wildlife. The blossom provides nectar for bees and other pollinators in spring, and the berries are vital food for lots of different bird species.
Serviceberries may be smaller in stature compared to some other trees, but they are fast-growing and can develop at around two feet a year. It is suitable for smaller gardens, and you can even get varieties to grow in large containers.
The Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is a great native species to grow in full or partial sun. You can get bare-root Allegheny serviceberry plants at Amazon to grow in US hardiness zones 4-8.
7. Ohio buckeye
The Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is the state tree of Ohio and a native tree in many states, ranging from Pennsylvania in the West to Kansas in the East to Alabama in the South.
It is a small to medium deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 feet tall in US hardiness zones 3-7. It can tolerate cold but will struggle in warmer southern climates.
An Ohio buckeye thrives in moist soils and full sun or partial shade, provided it gets at least five hours of sunlight a day. The reward for planting an Ohio buckeye is bright-green leaves in spring, which turn darker in summer, and then yellow in the fall. It also grows yellow flowers and round fruits, which are the small buckeyes encased in a spikey husk.
They are low-maintenance trees, and you can get an Ohio Buckeye Tree at Nature Hills to plant this month into any well-drained soil.
If you want blooms come spring, there are more planting jobs you can do this month. Our guide to perennials to plant in September features lots of spring flowers you can plant in the ground or containers this month to provide color and blooms throughout spring. From early spring bulbs to colorful additions that bridge the gap between spring and summer, there are great options for planting in September.
This stainless steel digging spade is designed to reduce back strain when turning soil or planting trees and shrubs.
Organic bone meal is a great source of slow-release nutrients, including phosphorus, to promote strong root development after planting.
These fertilizer spikes are specially formulated for trees and shrubs and should be hammered into the soil near the roots to deliver nutrients.
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