Which tree grows the fastest?

When we stand in front of a tree, one of the most common questions is: ‘I wonder how long it took it to get so big?’ The growth of trees has always fascinated us, especially when we wonder which plant is the fastest. In our new YouTube video, made in collaboration with Riccardo Rizzetto, known on social media as From Roots to Leaves, we find out which tree grows the fastest, but more importantly, why, when choosing a tree to plant - whether in the garden at home or at one of our events - we should not rely solely on how fast it grows.

Tree growth: a matter of climate, soil and genetics

When it comes to fast-growing trees, the first answers you find online point to species such as paulownia, poplar or willow. But the reality is much more complex. In nature, the speed at which a tree grows depends on many factors: climate, soil type, water availability and genetics.

For example, in tropical areas where temperatures are always high and rainfall is abundant, plants have ideal conditions to grow quickly. In Italy, on the other hand, the alternation of seasons and periods of vegetative rest slow growth down, and even within the same country there are enormous differences between plants in the mountains and those on the plains.

Trees that grow fast, but not always

In the video we talk about some of the fast-growing species found in Italy too. These include the white willow, which can grow up to 80 cm a year, the beech, which can grow by about 50 cm a year, and the wild cherry, with growth of between 40 and 70 cm. Birch, field maple, black alder and white poplar also stand out for steady growth, especially in their first years of life.

But beware of appearances: there are plants that look small and young but are in fact already decades — or even centuries — old. This is the case of the larch and the Swiss stone pine, mountain species that grow very slowly but can live for a long time in difficult conditions.

Why do we care about tree growth?

During our events we are often asked: “Which tree grows the fastest?” A fair question, especially for those who want to see the tree they have adopted grow quickly. But growth speed is not the only parameter to consider.

Choosing the right tree must take into account the ecological context, the soil, the climate and biodiversity. We do not just want forests that grow quickly, but healthy, resilient ecosystems able to cope with a changing climate.