Pine trees are a common tree associated with the holidays and winter, but these handsome plants provide interest all year long with different-colored barks, pine cones, and needles. It’s always exciting to plant a new tree, but it can be frustrating waiting for it to grow.
The fastest-growing pine trees include Loblolly, Canary Island, Eastern White, and Jack Pine. These grow 2 feet or more per year. A few more quick-growing pines include Austrian, Scotch, Lodgepole, Ponderosa, Mondell, and Japanese Black pine, all of which grow between 1 and 2 feet per year.
Below, we’ll go over which pine trees grow the fastest, where they grow, and what kind of conditions they need to reach their full potential.
What Are Pine Trees?
Pine trees are often confused with other evergreen trees such as hemlock, fir, and spruce. It’s understandable and can be difficult to tell them apart. I remember as a kid I called everything with needles a pine tree!
A few distinct characteristics separate pine trees from other evergreen trees:
- Needles: Pine tree needles grow in clusters whereas other evergreens like spruce and fir have single needles attached to the branches.
- Cones: Pine cones are usually more rigid than cones from other evergreens. The scales are hard and rough, while other evergreen cones are smooth and flexible.
These are the two significant differences between pine trees and other evergreens, with the needles being the easiest to identify.
Pine trees are part of the conifer group and are evergreen, meaning they do not shed their leaves each fall like deciduous trees.
In general, you will find more pine trees in the northern hemisphere than in the southern. They are very tolerant of the cold as well as high elevations.
The growth rate and height of pine trees vary considerably with each species. The good news is, we’re here to debunk which pine trees grow the fastest and which one is the best for your yard!
Which Pine Trees Will Grow The Fastest In My Yard?
Picking out a new tree for the yard can be an exciting time. It’s not so exciting waiting for them to grow. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece, a way to make your yard more private, or to enjoy the birds and squirrels in your new tree, pine trees are a great choice.
Below, we’ll check out some of the fastest-growing pine trees. No matter where you live or what kind of conditions you have in your yard, there is a pine tree that’s right for you!
Austrian Pine
Austrian pines start out as cute Christmas-tree-shaped trees and as they grow older they spread out and fill in to make a fantastic landscape tree. As the name suggests, Austrian pines are not native to the United States.
You can expect your Austrian pine tree to survive almost anything nature throws. It is very tolerant of urban conditions, soil type, drought, and water level. That being said, Austrian pines prefer sandy and loamy soil over clay when possible.
- Sun: Austrian pines prefer full sun.
- Hardiness Zone: 3b – 7. Austrian pines prefer cooler climates such as eastern Oregon across to New York and even up into parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
- Maintenance: Austrian pines are tolerant of a variety of conditions, making them relatively low maintenance. They can withstand dry conditions as well as slightly moist conditions.
- Height: 50-60 feet.
- Width: 20-40 feet.
- Growth Rate: Austrian pines have a moderate growth rate, typically growing 1-2 feet per year.
If you want a dense, full-looking tree in your yard, Austrian pine is a good choice. These are best planted in yards where the tree can receive full sun and have plenty of space to become the talking piece of your yard!
If you end up having trouble growing your Austrian pine tree, you can read about why it isn’t growing here.
Scotch Pine
Scotch Pine is another non-native pine that looks beautiful in the yard. Its orange bark makes it even more attractive during the drab months of winter. Scotch Pine does best in well-draining soil such as sandy soils.
Like Austrian pines, Scotch pines start out pyramidal in shape but spread out as they age and have a flatter top at full maturity. Scotch pines are not very tolerant of heat, drought, or flooding.
- Sun: Full sun
- Hardiness Zone: Scotch pine thrives in zones 3a-7, growing best in the same states as the Austrian pine, though Scotch pine can travel a little further north.
- Maintenance: When grown under the right conditions, Scotch pines are low maintenance. However, they can be trouble if planted in areas that receive drought or flooding.
- Height: According to Iowa State University, Scotch Pines can grow between 30 and 60 feet.
- Width: 20 to 40 feet
- Growth Rate: 1 to 2 feet per year.
Scotch pines are a good choice for the yard if you can grow them under their ideal conditions. These lovely pine trees are great as ornamental trees for the yard but aren’t the best for privacy as the branches will thin as the tree ages. Scotch pine comes in a dwarf variety that can be good for gardens or small urban yards.
If you live in an area with porcupines, they will come from all over to munch on your scotch pine. To protect your tree when it is young, consider using a tree guard like UGarden Plant and Tree Guard to keep deer, porcupines, and other troublesome critters from destroying your prized pine tree.
Loblolly Pine
Also known as Bull Pine and Oldfield Pine, the Loblolly Pine has a very straight trunk with an overall oval shape at maturity. These massive trees differ from most pines as they prefer poorly-drained soils.
Loblolly pines prefer warmer climates and do not do well in areas with cold winters. If you’re looking for a fast-growing pine, this is it! According to North Carolina State University, Loblolly pines are the fastest-growing pine species.
- Sun: Like most pines, Loblollies prefer full sun.
- Hardiness Zone: 6b through 9a. This includes areas from around North Carolina down to northern Florida and across to northern Arizona.
- Maintenance: Low
- Height: 60-90 feet
- Width: 20-40 feet
- Growth Rate: Loblolly pines grow fast, typically greater than 2 feet per year.
Loblolly pines are used more for timber than for landscaping, but if you want the fastest-growing pine, loblolly is the way to go! Just be sure to plant this tree away from your home if you live in areas that are commonly plagued with wildfires.
Since loblolly pines are more accustomed to southern climates, they may have problems with nutrient deficiencies. According to an article in the Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, most southern soils have Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P) deficiencies.
In this case, consider using a fertilizer such as Scotts Evergreen Flowering Tree & Shrub Continuous Release Plant Food. This will help keep your loblolly healthy and growing!
Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole pines are one of the most adaptive pine trees on our list. They do just fine in water-logged soil as they do in dry conditions. These pines are tall and slender, making them great ornamental trees but a poor choice for a privacy barrier between you and your neighbor.
If you live in an area with wildfires, just know that lodgepole pines are not fire-tolerant. Otherwise, these trees can be planted on rocky slopes just as readily as in coastal regions.
- Sun: Full sun
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8. You’ll find more lodgepole pines in the western half of the United States than in the eastern. They’re common in such states as Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Maintenance: Low
- Height: There are a few different varieties of lodgepole pine, with the tallest able to reach 100 feet (Sierra) and the shortest growing to only 5 feet tall (Mendocino White Plains).
- Width: 20 feet (Sierra).
- Growth Rate: Lodgepole pines grow at a moderate rate, usually between 12 – 24 inches per year.
Lodgepole pines are a good choice for a yard if you’re looking to fill in space or if you want a large, long-lived ornamental tree. They can grow in a wide range of conditions but tend to flourish in the West.
Ponderosa Pine
Also known as the Western Yellow pine, Ponderosa pines are very drought-tolerant and are found more heavily on the western side of the United States. In addition to dry conditions, Ponderosa pine is also fire-resistant due to its thick bark.
Ponderosa pines are tall and upright, similar to lodgepole pines, but slightly wider at the top. They self-prune themselves so that when they are mature they rarely have branches at the bottom.
- Sun: Full sun.
- Hardiness zone: 3 through 7. The most common states where Ponderosa Pines grow include as far east as Nebraska and Oklahoma to as far west as the Pacific Coast in California, Washington, and Oregon.
- Maintenance: Low
- Height: According to the University of California, Ponderosa pines usually reach mature heights of around 90-130 feet
- Width: 25-30 feet
- Growth rate: Moderate, growing between 12-24” per year.
Ponderosa pines are best grown in a yard where they will be the only tree in the area or else grown at the same time with other Ponderosa pines. They will not grow well in shade, so make sure to plant them in full sun away from other trees that might shade them.
Canary Island Pine
A lot of times pine trees are associated with cold weather, but not all pine trees are found in the cold regions of the United States. Canary Island pines are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a pine tree and live in a warmer climate!
As the name suggests, these trees are native to the Canary Islands of Spain. There’s not a lot to dislike about this tree. It has attractive bark, large pine cones, and an overall cone shape at maturity that makes a great statement piece in your yard.
- Sun: Canary Island pines can withstand partial shade, but they grow best in full sun.
- Hardiness Zone: 9 through 10. This warm-loving pine thrives in climates such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, southern Arizona, and along the Pacific coast.
- Maintenance: Canary Island pines are tolerant of a variety of soil pH and textures as well as salt. It is also drought-tolerant, making it a very low-maintenance tree.
- Height: 50 to 80 feet.
- Width: 20 to 35 feet.
- Growth Rate: Considered fast-growing, Canary Island pines usually grow 2 or more feet per year.
If you have enough space, Canary Island pines are a great choice for the yard even if you live in a drier climate. These pines aren’t a good choice for small urban yards.
Eastern White Pine
The Eastern White Pine is a US native, originating in the northeast and Canada. It makes an excellent landscape tree and can be used as a border when planted with other White Pines or as a single tree.
Sandy, well-drained soils are preferred, but the Eastern White Pine can survive in a variety of soil conditions as long as the soil is slightly acidic. This tree is not very tolerant of urban or coastal conditions.
- Sun: Full Sun
- Hardiness Zone: 3a to 8a which includes much of the United States except for the extreme south, extreme north, and the Pacific coast.
- Maintenance: Like most pines, Eastern White pine is low maintenance.
- Height: 50-80 feet.
- Width: 20-40 feet.
- Growth Rate: According to North Carolina State University, the Eastern White Pine has a rapid growth rate, meaning 2 or more feet per year.
Even if you don’t have enough room for a full-size white pine, some varieties can fit in small yards and even containers. This is an excellent ornamental tree and should be grown in the yard where it can receive full sun.
Jack Pine
If you can’t seem to grow anything in your yard, you may have luck with a Jack Pine. These trees can grow on the poorest of soils and can withstand drought and extreme cold.
That is, as long as you’re willing to put up with a scraggly-looking landscape tree. Jack Pines have long, spreading branches that create an open crown. If you’ve ever seen a Christmas Tree after a cat’s climbed through it, then you have an idea of what a Jack Pine looks like!
Despite this, they are very hardy and easy to grow.
- Sun: Full sun
- Hardiness Zone: According to Iowa State University, Jack Pines thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 7 which include most of the United States except the extreme south and the warmer parts of the Pacific Coast states.
- Maintenance: Low. Jack Pines can survive in almost any condition.
- Height: 30 to 50 feet.
- Width: 10 to 18 feet.
- Growth Rate: Jack Pines have a rapid growth rate, meaning 2 or more feet per year.
Jack Pines may not be the most attractive pine tree, but they are great to plant in yards located on poor, dry soil.
Mondell Pine
On the opposite side of the spectrum from Jack Pine, Mondell Pines are quite attractive and have an upright appearance throughout their lifetime. It has dense branches, making it a great tree to use as a privacy border or as a grand ornamental tree in the yard by itself.
Mondell Pines are another tree that is more suited to warmer climates. It is drought resistant and does well in hot, arid conditions. It can thrive in a variety of soil conditions from sand to clay and anything in between. Mondell Pines also have little preference for soil pH.
- Sun: Mondell Pines prefer full sun, but they can still survive in partial shade. If grown in partial shade, don’t expect them to grow as fast as those planted in full sun.
- Hardiness Zone: 6a to 8b, including much of the southern United States such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina. It can also thrive in parts of the Northeast and a few places in the far west.
- Maintenance: Low
- Height: According to the University of Florida, Mondell Pines usually reach around 30-40 feet.
- Width: 25-30 feet.
- Growth Rate: Medium, usually growing between 12-24 inches per year.
Like most pines, Mondell pines are low maintenance and easy to grow when given the right conditions. This is a good choice for your yard if you have the space to grow it or want to create a natural privacy fence as Mondell Pines have thick branches that can be used as screens.
Japanese Black Pine
Many of the pine trees on our list so far are large and unsuited for small yards. That’s where the Japanese Black Pine comes in! This tree can be used as a bonsai tree or planted in a garden or small yard.
The Japanese Black Pine is known for its interesting look. It does not have a centralized trunk but rather grows with spreading branches. This handsome tree will not be conical or pyramid-shaped like most pines, but rather has a flat-top appearance.
- Sun: Full sun
- Hardiness Zone: 5b – 8a. This makes it a good fit for most states in a central belt across the U.S. such as from central Pennsylvania down to North Carolina and across to Kansas and Oklahoma. They can also survive along the eastern side of Washington and Oregon.
- Maintenance: Low
- Height: Japanese Black Pines can be kept small, but they may reach a maximum height of around 20-60 feet.
- Width: 12-20 feet.
- Growth Rate: Moderate, growing between 12-24 inches per year.
The Japanese Black Pine is a great choice for those who want a smaller pine tree for their yard and don’t mind a non-traditional appearance. These trees are tolerant of drought and heat as well as coastal sandy and salty conditions.
Fastest Growing Pine Trees Ranked: Complete Growth Chart
Now, for the part you’ve been waiting for! We’ve compiled everything we discussed above into a neat little chart to give you an idea of the fastest-growing pine trees. You’ll also see how long they live, their maximum height, and the best-growing zones for each pine tree.
| Tree | Annual Growth | Lifespan | Full Height | Best Hardiness Zone |
| Loblolly Pine | More than 24” | 100-300 years | 90 feet | 6b-9a |
| Canary Island Pine | More than 24” | 180 years | 80 feet | 9-10 |
| Eastern White Pine | More than 24” | 200 years | 80 feet | 3a-8a |
| Jack Pine | More than 24” | 100-200 years | 50 feet | 3-7 |
| Austrian Pine | 12-24” | >500 years | 60 feet | 3b-7 |
| Scotch Pine | 12-24” | 150-300 years | 60 feet | 3a-7 |
| Lodgepole Pine | 12-24” | 150-200 years | 100 feet | 4-8 |
| Ponderosa Pine | 12-24” | >500 years | 130 feet | 3-7 |
| Mondell Pine | 12-24” | N/A | 40 feet | 6a-8b |
| Japanese Black Pine | 12-24” | 150 years | 60 feet | 5b-8a |
Which Pine Tree Should I Plant In My Yard?
Based on the chart above, you may want to grab a Loblolly pine or Eastern White pine and get to planting! However, some of these pines may not be suitable for your yard depending on where you live and what kind of soil you have.
Don’t worry, we’re here to break down which pine trees are the best for your yard so you can plant with confidence.
Best Pine Trees For Cold Climates
If you live somewhere where you have to put two pairs of socks on in the winter, you can’t exactly plant a Canary Island pine or Loblolly. You’ll want to go for a pine tree that’s cold-tolerant and doesn’t mind a few cloudy days.
The best pine trees for cold climates include:
- Eastern White Pine
- Jack Pine
- Austrian Pine
- Scotch Pine
- Lodgepole Pine
- Ponderosa Pine
Best Pine Trees For Warm Climates
If you live somewhere where you can wear sandals in the winter, you may want to consider a pine tree that does well in year-round warm weather.
Consider these pine trees if you live in the south where winters are mild and summers are warm:
- Loblolly Pine
- Canary Island Pine
Mondell and Black Japanese Pines fall somewhere in the middle, doing well in the centralized region of the United States.
Best Pine Trees For Small Yards
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to bring a little nature into the city. If you have a small yard, you can’t exactly plant a gigantic Lodgepole or Ponderosa pine. Instead, you’ll want to look for some of the smaller varieties:
- Japanese Black Pine
- Dwarf Scotch Pine
- Mondell Pine
- Dwarf Eastern White Pine
- Small varieties of Lodgepole Pine
Best Pine Trees For Privacy Screens
Pine trees are great to use as privacy screens between you and your neighbors. It’s a natural border that doesn’t require a ton of maintenance like a fence would. Some pine trees are either too thin or self-prune their branches, making them a poor choice. You want a pine tree that’s dense and full.
Some of the best pine trees on our list for privacy screens include:
- Austrian Pine
- Eastern White Pine
- Mondell Pine
Best Pine Trees For Poor Soil
Not all yards are bursting with nutrients or packed with well-draining soil. Some places like arid desert climates or rocky yards have a hard time letting anything grow. The good news is that there are a few pine trees on our list that will grow in just about any condition!
- Jack Pine
- Loblolly Pine
- Mondell Pine
Even though these pines can grow on poor soil, you’ll still want to check their hardiness zone to make sure they can grow in your area.
That’s A Wrap!
Pine trees are a great choice to plant in the yard. They are evergreen, meaning they will bring color to your yard when your other deciduous trees have lost their leaves. They are low maintenance and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit just about any yard out there.
One thing that can be frustrating about planting a tree is waiting for it to grow. To recap, the 10 fastest-growing pine trees include:
- Austrian Pine
- Loblolly
- Lodgepole Pine
- Ponderosa Pine (Western Yellow Pine)
- Eastern White Pine
- Jack Pine
- Scotch Pine
- Canary Island Pine
- Mondell Pine
- Japanese Black Pine
Whether you live in a cold or hot climate, have sandy or clay soil, or have a big or small yard, there is a pine tree on our list that will fit your situation!
If you’re not sure about which pine tree to plant, you can always reach out to your local arborist to get directions on what grows best in your area.
References
Bruce E. Borders, Robert L. Bailey, Loblolly Pine—Pushing the Limits of Growth, Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 25, Issue 2, May 2001, Pages 69–74, https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/25.2.69
Dobbertin, M. Tree growth as indicator of tree vitality and of tree reaction to environmental stress: a review. Eur J Forest Res 124, 319–333 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0085-3
Makinen, H., & Isomaki, A. (2004, November 15). Thinning intensity and growth of Scots pine stands in Finland. Forest Ecology and Management, 201(2-3), 311-325. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378112704005328
Thomas R. Fox, H. Lee Allen, Timothy J. Albaugh, Rafael Rubilar, Colleen A. Carlson, Tree Nutrition and Forest Fertilization of Pine Plantations in the Southern United States, Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, Volume 31, Issue 1, February 2007, Pages 5–11, https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/31.1.5
