Let’s not beat around the bush. When I talk about fast growing Christmas trees, it needs to be viewed as a relative concept – and it’s important not to be misleading. I’m not suggesting that some trees are capable of super-speeds and can shoot up from seed in a matter of months, nor would I wish to imply that certain varieties can be dec-ready inside a year!
Exactly how long does it take to grow a Christmas tree, you may well be wondering? Since Christmas trees are once-a-year purchases and for many they are considered disposable, it may be tempting to think that new ones grow every 12 months. But the reality is that the average Christmas tree needs 7 years to grow to marketable size, and some species can take 15 years to reach desirable heights (and shapes). Even with the right conditions and Christmas tree care, you need to be willing to devote a good few years to the task.
So I’m not saying you can grow your own from seed to Christmas-tree size in less than two years. Still, growing your own Christmas tree is a fun project, and a highly satisfying one if you are willing to wait and devote some patience to the process. If you choose the right tree, it is possible to cultivate a beautiful tree to decorate and show off to friends and family. Some species do grow faster than others – so here I’ll run through some of the best Christmas tree varieties to grow for home displays.
Choosing the Fastest Growing Christmas Trees
If you are willing to wait a few years and choose the best Christmas tree varieties, give some thought to the same basic considerations that you would give when growing any homegrown tree. Consider the best hardiness zone, and be mindful of cultural needs. Your tree will grow quicker if you water it well, fertilize correctly and at the right times (slow release feeds are best, but don’t overdo it), and prune strategically to promise fresh growth. Still, with the right care and the right tree choice, it is possible to grow your own Christmas tree for folks to admire.
These aren’t mini Christmas tree varieties. Some are capable of great heights. But you can adapt your scale and ambition depending on your needs (and time). Here’s a short-list of the fastest growing specimens to cultivate if you are looking to grow Christmas trees quickly. Give these Christmas tree varieties love, a good location, and the right watering and feeding, and in a few years you could be festooning them with decs and giving them pride of place as part of your festive displays.
1. Leyland Cypress
- Growth Rate: 3-4 feet (1m) per year growth
- Zones: USDA 6-10
Leyland cypress trees boast the fastest growth around. They are also lovely to look at, with soft flattened needles in gray-green sprays. The branches are slim, upright, strong and flexible. Leyland cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii) specimens are not picky trees, but very tolerant of light and soil conditions – good news for the home grower. For the fastest growth, give your tree a full sun location and well-draining soil. You also need to prune Leyland cypress trees well to promote new growth.
Exactly how tall will your Leyland cypress grow if you don’t chop it down? These trees top out at about 70 feet (23m) tall and can also grow to 15 feet (5m) wide. They are top Christmas tree varieties in certain parts of the nation, and they are also popular fast growing privacy hedge trees. You can buy Leyland Cypress Tree Seedlings from Amazon in packs of 10.
2. Arizona Cypress
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet (1m) per year
- Zones: USDA 7-9
The Arizona cypress tree (Hesperocyparis arizonica) is an evergreen conifer with a natural shape that looks exactly like a classic Christmas tree. The leaves are extremely tiny and quite plentiful. They look like scales and can be gray-green or blue-green. The trunk and branches are covered with thin, mahogany-colored bark that splits into vertical strips, and the entire tree smells lovely and Christmasy.
Left to their own devices, Arizona cypress trees grow up to 50 feet (16m) tall and 30 feet (10m) wide. It needs a full sun location and sandy soil to grow its fastest. As well as being one of the best types of cypress you can grow at home, this species is a top choice for those growing Christmas trees. You can buy Pixies Gardens’ Blue Ice Arizona Cypress Trees as young plants from Walmart.
3. Sitka Spruce
- Growth Rate: 3-4.5 feet (1-1.5m) per year
- Zones: USDA 6-8
Last year’s Capital Christmas tree was an 80-foot Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), and it’s true these guys grow fast. These trees are some of the biggest trees in the Pacific Northwest. With ideal growing conditions (full sun and moist soil), they can grow over 4 feet (1.5m) every year. Sitka spruce trees are great for Christmas trees, although you will often find them used for timber, too.
Their downsides as Christmas trees include a limited indoor life and needles that are sharp and prickly. That said, Sitka spruce have a classic, balanced shape, they are full branches, and they have good needle retention. They also have a pleasant fragrance. You can buy Sitka Spruce from Amazon as live potted evergreens.
4. Eastern White Pine
- Growth Rate: 1 foot (.3m) per year
- Zones: USDA zones 3-8
The soft blue-green needles of the Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) will win your heart. They grow in bundles of five and are virtually without fragrance, so they are good for those with allergies. The lovely, flexible branches of this pine tree variety are great for ornaments, and the straight trunk is lovely, while the tree is young, with smooth, green-gray bark. You can buy Eastern White Pines as young trees from Fast Growing Trees.
How long do Christmas trees take to grow? A long time! This tree grows faster than many, but it will still take 5-6 years to grow to typical Christmas tree size. In addition, wild-grown trees can seem sparse or bushy. When they are sold commercially, they are usually sheared to achieve a conical shape. Some people love sheared trees, while others do not. Plant in sun or shade, in well-draining soil.
5. Grand Fir
- Growth Rate: 2-4 feet (.6-1.3m) per year
- Zones: USDA zones 5-8
The grand fir (Abies grandis) is considered the best Christmas tree variety for many. With its thick, shiny, dark-green foliage and strong citrusy fragrance, this fine evergreen variety tops many a Christmas tree list. Although it often takes up to 8 years to grow marketable grand fir Christmas trees, they shoot up faster (up to 4 feet a year) when grown in open, sunny areas. You can buy Grand Fir from Amazon as 4-pack tree seedlings.
When choosing Christmas trees to grow from young, don’t expect these trees to last forever, though. Once they are cut, a grand fir will last only 3-4 weeks, and they require regular water and care to reach their full potential. But let them grow in the yard, and the sky’s literally the limit. They can reach heights of 100 feet (33m) and even 250 feet (80m) tall.
6. Virginia Pine
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet (.3-.6m) per year
- Zones: USDA zones 4-8
The Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) is a popular species for a Christmas tree. That’s because these trees have dense foliage for a lush, plump look and a rich, piney fragrance. The branches are strong enough to hold even the heaviest ornaments securely. While the needles are not long and elegant, the tree retains the shorter needles well. That said, you’ll need to commit to pruning the tree during cultivation to get it into proper Christmas tree shape.
When it comes to growing these relatively drought-tolerant trees, pick a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. These are not enormous trees in the landscape. If left to grow outside, they will top out at 40 feet (12m) tall and 30 feet (10m) wide. You can buy Virginia Pine Trees from Amazon as sets of 3 live plants.
Help Your Trees Grow Faster
If you want to keep your Christmas tree and grow it year after year, you can encourage it to grow faster with a few essentials. As long as it is well supported in a large container (or replanted outside in the right way), you can keep yours going (and growing well) with these key items:
Regular pruning helps with shape and encourages faster, healthier growth. These shears provide precision cuts for branches up to an inch in diameter. Prune in late winter or early spring for a dense, well formed structure.
Along with a good soil structure, you can boost your tree’s growing power with a well timed and well selected mulch to conserve moisture and regulate temperatures. This nutrient-rich bark mulch is an excellent way to manage hydration levels, with a fine texture and optimal microbe load.
Balanced tree feed, nitrogen-rich for early growth, potassium for buds as well as ample water. Add nigh nitrogen in spring/early summer, then potassium rich feed later in summer to help set buds for the following year. Be careful not to overfertilize or fertilize at the wrong time, as this can adversely affect root growth.
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