50 Fastest Growing Trees in India (Ranked by Speed & Height)

India is also in a run-against-time in balancing the urbanization, air pollution and outcome of climate change. With urban sprawls and green spaces turning into white ashes, the call to green our environment is more important than ever before.

A viable option of tackling this in an eco-friendly manner is by planting fast growing trees. These floral runners do not only regain ecological balance but also offer a shade, absorb various pollutants, and make landscapes beautiful in a short time.

It serves as a one-stop resource that explores the fastest growing trees in India in detail and how quickly they grow as well as their potential height.

So you want to figure out how to plant a school plantation drive, a community forest, or simply green your backyard then you have arrived at the right place, this blog is where you get your resource.

What Makes a Tree Grow Fast?

The factor influencing growth rate of a tree is quite numerous and it is influenced by the type of soil, degrees of exposure to sun rays, water availability, and coppering capacity.

Trees that thrive in good soils and are well drained as well as those which are exposed to a lot of sunlight grow faster. Also important are deeper root systems, and adaptation to local climates as well as resistance to pests.

The fast forming trees have intensive investments at the early years in vertical growth and canopy enabling them to develop rapidly in both urban environments and rural ones.

Top 50 Fast-Growing Trees in India

• 1. Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala)- Grows 4 -5 meters per year, planted in agroforestry.
  
• 2. Kadam (Neolamarckia cadamba)- It is a tree with fast growth rate in terms of canopy, and sweet scented flowers.
  
• 3. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)- It is popular in the plantations; it matures within a short period of time.
  
• 4. Malabar Neem (Melia dubia)- Fast growing and so commercially valuable.
  
• 5. Poplar (Populus deltoides)- favorite of the paper and plywood industries because of the high rate of wood production.
  
• 6. Silver Oak (Grevillea robusta)- Grows in an urban setting quite well, landscaping.
  
• 7. Rain Tree (Samanea saman)- Spreads fast and provides a deep shade.
  
• 8. Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera)- Grows twice its size in weeks; Vitamin rich also.
  
• 9. Paulownia- Foreign tree with growing popularity in use both as timber, and carbon sequestration.
  
• 10. Arjun Tree (Terminalia arjuna)– has a long history of preparation as Ayurveda medicine, and it grows swiftly in riverine habitats.
  
• 11. Bamboo (Bambusa spp.)- A technically grass, but grows almost ludicrously quickly.
  
• 12. Teak (Tectona grandis)– Teak has been valued as timber, but there are hybrid types, which grow comparatively quicker.
  
• 13. Neem (Azadirachta indica)- Medicinal, low-maintenance, sun loving and is fast growing.
  
• 14. Peepal (Ficus religiosa) – Holy and fast growing, especially in the tropics.
  
• 15. Ashoka Tree (Polyalthia longifolia)– The ashoka tree is grown as an avenue walk tree; it is compact with a vertical growth habit.
• 16. Siris (Albizia lebbeck)– A fine timber tree and a beautiful flower tree; a good crowded-township tree.
  
• 17. Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) – Comes by air roots; rapid growth of the canopy.
  
• 18. Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina variegata) –Small, colourful flowers and fast growth in height.
  
• 19. Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) –Again prevalent in erosion-prone coastal areas.
  
• 20. Gulmohar (Delonix regia) –Just another beloved decoration tree, rapid growing and beautiful red flowers.
  
• 21. Bael Tree ( Aegle marmelos )- Grows in semi arid locations and provides both shade and fruit.
  
• 22. Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) –Grows fast and is highly in demand in health oriented industries.
  
• 23. Mango (Mangifera indica -dwarf types) –Grows fairly fast when taken care of.
  
• 24. Indian Willow (Salix tetrasperma)- Will grow in areas close to bodies of water, and they are characterized by rapid trunk growth.
  
• 25. Karanja (Pongamia pinnata)- This is used as biodiesel and fast canopy cover.
  
• 26. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) –Wood used in furniture; fast growing, durable.
  
• 27. Jamun (Syzygium cumini)– Fast to grow tall and can be grown in moist tropical climate.
  
• 28. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) – Gives fruit and shade; grows and is fast growing under rain-fed conditions.
  
• 29. Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma) – a colorful and a fast-growing tree to plant in arid lands.
  
• 30. Pongam Tree (Millettia pinnata) – It yields bio fuel and it grows on diverse soil.
  
• 31. Champa ( Plumeria alba )- Rapid type vertical growth; common in temple gardens.
  
• 32. Seemai Karuvel (Prosopis juliflora) -Invasive and, yet, one of the fastest growing trees.
  
• 33. Rudraksha Tree (Elaeocarpus ganitrus)– Strong rapid growth in foothills of the Himalayas.
  
• 34. Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) –Quick growing in cultivated environments.
  
• 35. Indian Beech Tree (Pterocarpus marsupium) –It grows rapidly and is very rich in medicinal use.
  
• 36. Kanchanar ( Bauhinia variegata)- flowers well and settles fast.
  
• 37. Devil Tree (Alstonia scholaris)– Upright,and rapid growing, frequent in city avenues.
  
• 38. Chikoo Tree (Manilkara zapota)- Quick growing when well-irrigated and orchards make use of it.
  
• 39. Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa) –Coastal friendly and grew fast.
  
• 40. Palash Tree (Butea monosperma)- It is referred to as Flame Tree and grows in hot weather.
  
• 41. Sandalwood Tree (Santalum album) — It grows fast when adequately grafted to be used commercially.
  
• 42. Bottlebrush Tree ( Callistemon spp.)- Attractive and grows rapidly when planted in the correct soil.
  
• 43. Neem Chameli (Millingtonia hortensis)- Fast growing, fragranced flowers, augers well in avenues.
  
• 44. Indian Laburnum ( Cassia Fistula )- Annuals that bloom with golden bright flowers and grow rapidly in loamy soils.
  
• 45. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus excelsa) –Vigorous upright growth, makes good reforestation tree.
  
• 46. Custard Apple Tree ( Annona squamosa )- quick growing tree which is tolerant to dry sites.
  
• 47. False Ashoka (Monoon longifolium)– A favorite privacy or fence tree; extremely rapid growing.
  
• 48. Pilkhan ( Ficus virens )- gives huge canopy and urban temperature reduction.
  
• 49. Khirni (Manilkara hexandra) –To driver and well adapted to dry land; and grows fairly fast.
  
• 50. Harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)– also called night-flower, and flourishes rapidly in gardens and houses.

Best Trees for Urban Greening

Cities need trees that not only grow but also occupy less space and they need trees that are low maintenance. The above species are very appropriate plants to have in balcony gardens, road division, parks, and apartment complexes:

• Kadam: It is good in rainwater harvesting and monsoon greening.
  
• Gulmohar: Beautiful red-orange flowers; a good shade tree.
  
• Arjuna: Healthy trunk and pollution resistant.
  
• Jamun tree: Fruit bearing and freshens the air.
  
• Moringa (Drumstick): It grows rapidly in pots, and its leaves are eaten.

These city trees in urban forestry are also fast shade trees that help to reduce the urban heat island effect by a lot.

Benefits of Fast-Growing Trees

Ecological and social benefits: Fast-growing native trees have various benefits;

• Erosion Control: Their Tamarian development is fast in root formation that contributes in soil binding.
  
• Canopy Coverage: It is suitable to focus on rapid shade in community parks and playgrounds.
  
• Pollution Control: There are species which even clean the air such as Neem and Arjuna.
  
• Biodiversity Boost: They attract birds and pollinators in a very little time.

Such trees also come in handy in the ecological conservation works that are undertaken through companies such as the Youth Talent Development Society ( YTDS ).

How to Care for Fast-Growing Trees

Fast growing plants require attention at the youthful level so that they at least survive:

• Watering: The first 2 years would need regular watering during dry periods.
  
• Staking: Weak trunks should be supported so that they do not snap.
  
• Trimming: Trim trees every year to get rid of dead or afflicted branches.

Adherence to these tree care measures enhances growth of trees in the different climatic regions in India.

Conclusion

You might be a school eco-club member; a municipal planner, or be a green thumb at home, but selecting fast-growing trees can bring a big change within a short period.

These trees are also not all-speed, but a representation of strength, sustainability and renewed hope of a green India.

Therefore, find your place, plan your plant and grow the change you would like to see.

Frequently Asked Questions