Many new homes these days are built on lots that have been leveled. This leaves the homeowner to consider which trees are best to plant in order to attain much desired shade in the shortest amount of time. While trees grow at different rates, there are several that I recommend; which grow faster than others and that are good investments for the long term. All of the following trees have growth rates of up to four feet annually, depending upon conditions.

Crape Myrtle. The crape myrtle offers tremendous color in the summertime. There are too many great varieties to list, but flower colors range from red to lavender to white. Don’t prune your crapes even though it is the popular thing to do. Letting crape myrtles grow naturally will reward you with one of the most beautifully structured trees available. Keep an eye out for Japanese beetles as they will eat away at the foliage. Treating with liquid Sevin insecticide will take care of this pest. From a disease standpoint, many of the older varieties have powdery mildew problems, so be sure to select one of the newer varieties that is not susceptible to the disease.

Leyland Cypress. The Leyland cypress is commonly used as a buffer between properties. This is an evergreen tree that has a narrow, upright growth habit. Be careful not to plant them in an area with soil that is not well-drained, as they are susceptible...

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