Top 10 Fastest Growing Trees In Ontario (2024)

Trees play an important role in the environment and the Ontario landscape. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, and provide shade and beauty.

With the right combination of soil, water, and sunlight, some trees can grow faster than others, making them ideal choices for reforestation and landscaping projects. So White Pine comes first on the list of the top 10 fastest growing trees in Ontario, so, let us take a look at some of the features and interesting things you need to know about some of these trees in Ontario.

Top 10 Fastest Growing Trees In Ontario

1. White Pine

First, on our listing of the fastest growing trees in Ontario today is the White Pine tree. The white pine is the tallest and most majestic of the Ontario trees. It can reach heights of 80-90 feet and has a wide, conical shape. It is an excellent choice for windbreaks, shade and wildlife habitat. The White Pine is a species of an evergreen tree native to Ontario, Canada.

It is the official provincial tree of Ontario and one of the largest and most important timber trees in Eastern North America. The White Pine has a straight and slender trunk and can grow up to 75 feet tall. Its bark is scaly and greyish–brown in color, and it has long needles that are usually four to six inches in length.

The White Pine produces cones, which are up to five inches in length and contain several seeds. The White Pine is an important species of tree in Ontario as it is used for a variety of purposes. Its timber is used for lumber, construction, furniture, pulp and paper production. Its wood is also used for fuel, and its needles are used for medicinal purposes.

The White Pine is also an important source of food for wildlife, including birds, squirrels, and porcupines. The White Pine is an important part of the ecology of Ontario. It is a host tree for many species of moths, butterflies, and other insects, and its foliage provides shelter and shade for wildlife

2. Red Maple

The Red Maple is one of the most common and rapid growing trees in Ontario. It grows at a rate of 2-3 feet per year and can reach heights of up to 70 feet. It is a great choice for a fast-growing shade tree. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a deciduous tree native to North America. It is one of the most common trees in eastern and central parts of the continent.

Red Maple is a fast–growing tree, reaching heights of up to 70 feet. It has a medium to coarse texture, with a rounded canopy and bright green leaves that turn brilliant shades of red and yellow in the fall. The tree produces small red flowers in spring which give way to winged seed–like samaras. Red Maple is a hardy and adaptable tree, capable of thriving in a variety of soil types and climates.

It is often used as an ornamental tree, for shade, and as a specimen tree in parks, gardens, and yards. It is also a popular choice for firewood, as it is dense, easy to split, and produces a long–lasting, hot flame.

3. Silver Maple

Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a large, fast–growing tree native to the eastern United States and Canada. It is most commonly found in wetlands, floodplains and along streams and rivers. The silver maple is a deciduous tree and can reach heights of up to 100 feet and spreads of up to 40 feet. The bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming darker and furrowed with age. Its leaves are bright green and deeply lobed, turning yellow, orange and red in autumn.

The tree produces small, yellowish–green flowers in the spring. The silver maple is a popular landscape tree due to its fast growth and graceful, spreading form. It is also valued for its shade and attractive fall color. Its wood is used for paper, furniture and boxes.

The silver maple is susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including Dutch elm disease, aphids, borers and leafhoppers. In addition, the tree is susceptible to wind damage due to its shallow roots. Despite its drawbacks, the silver maple is a beautiful tree that can be a great addition to a landscape. It is a fast–growing tree that can provide shade and beauty in a short amount of time.

4. Black Walnut

Black walnut is a type of hardwood that is commonly used in furniture and cabinetry. It is prized for its strength, durability, and unique dark color. The sapwood of black walnut is creamy white, while the heartwood is a dark brownish–black. The wood is often used to create beautiful pieces of furniture and cabinetry, as well as for flooring and paneling.

Additionally, black walnut can be used in woodworking, carving, and turning. It also makes for an excellent choice for outdoor furniture and decks, due to its resistance to decay and rot. The wood is known for its rich color and unique grain pattern, making it an attractive option for any project.

5. Northern Red Oak

Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, including Ontario. It is one of the most common tree species in the province, found in a variety of habitats from dry upland forests to wet bottomland forests. Northern Red Oak is a long–lived species and can live up to 400 years. It has a pyramidal shape when young, and develops a broad, rounded crown with age. Northern Red Oak has a distinctive bark, with gray–brown ridges that are separated by shallow, yellow–green furrows.

The leaves are simple, alternate, and typically have 7–9 pointed lobes. They are dark green in the summer and turn a red–brown in the fall. The acorns are oval, with a flattened top and bottom, and are edible for wildlife. Northern Red Oak is an important species for a variety of wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds, small mammals, and other animals.

6. American Beech

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is found in Ontario and is a common species in the Carolinian forest region of southern Ontario. American beech is a large tree, growing up to 30 meters (98 feet) in height and up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in diameter. It has a smooth, gray bark and an oval or pyramid–shaped crown. The leaves are simple, broad and toothed, and are dark green above and light green underneath.

The flowers are small and yellow–green, and they appear in late spring. The fruit is a spiny, three–sided nut. American beech is an important species in Ontario’s Carolinian forest. It is shade–tolerant, and is often found in moist, rich soils. It is an important food source for wildlife, and its nuts are consumed by many species, including squirrels, mice, chipmunks, and birds.

The wood of American beech is hard and heavy, and is used for furniture and flooring. American beech can be found in many protected areas of Ontario, such as the Niagara Escarpment and the Rouge Valley. It is an important species in the region, and its conservation is essential for the preservation of Ontario’s Carolinian forest.

7. Sweet Gum

The Sweet Gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a large deciduous tree native to the eastern United States, but it is also found in Ontario. It is a popular tree for landscapes in the province, as it offers year–round interest. The Sweet Gum tree is an excellent choice for providing shade and providing a lovely fall colour display.

In Ontario, Sweet Gum trees prefer a well–drained, moist soil and full sun. They reach a height of 30–60 feet with a spread of 20–40 feet. The tree has an oval shape and produces a dense canopy of leaves with a bright green colour in the summer. The sweetgsweet gum is a great choice for those looking for a shade tree, as the canopy provides plenty of coverage.

In the fall, the Sweetgum tree produces a spectacular display of colour, with the leaves changing from green to yellow, orange, and red. The tree also produces a spiny, brown seedpod that can be a nuisance, but that adds to the overall beauty of the tree.

The Sweetgum tree is an excellent choice for those looking for a shade tree that provides a wonderful fall colour display. It is best suited to areas that are well–drained and receive plenty of sunshine. With proper care, the Sweetgum tree can be an attractive addition to any Ontario landscape.

8. Eastern White Cedar

Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a species of coniferous evergreen tree native to eastern North America, from eastern Canada south to Tennessee and west to Minnesota. It is a popular ornamental tree in many areas of Ontario and is often used for landscaping.

Eastern White Cedar is a slow–growing tree with a tall, narrow shape, and can reach heights of up to 50 feet. The bark is scaly and light brown to gray in color. The leaves are scale–like and arranged in flat, fan–like sprays. The cones are small, round, and light brown in color. Eastern White Cedar is an important species for wildlife in Ontario. It provides food and shelter for many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including woodpeckers, squirrels, mice, and box turtles.

It also provides nesting sites for many species of songbirds. Eastern White Cedar is a hardy tree, and tolerates a wide range of soil types and climates. It is also very resistant to disease and insects. It is often used in wetland restoration projects, and its thick foliage helps to reduce soil erosion.

Eastern White Cedar has been used in many traditional practices by Ontario’s indigenous people. The bark was used for medicinal purposes, and the wood was used to make canoes, baskets, and clothing. The tree’s leaves were also used in traditional ceremonies and rituals.

9. Bur Oak

The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a species of oak native to most of eastern and central North America. In Ontario, it is found in nearly all regions of the province, growing in a variety of habitats, such as savannas, woodlands, and along rivers. It is a medium–sized tree, reaching heights of up to 20 metres (65 feet).

The bur oak‘s leaves are large and leathery, with a distinctive bristle–tipped lobe at the base of each leaf. The bark is deeply furrowed, and the acorns are large and round, with a shallow cup at the base.

The bur oak is an important tree in Ontario‘s landscape, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles. It is also an important source of food for wildlife, providing acorns and other fruits. The bur oak is also a popular ornamental tree, with its large size and deep green foliage making it an attractive addition to any landscape.

The bur oak is an important part of Ontario‘s natural heritage, and it is important that we protect and conserve this species. The province is home to many bur oak forests, and these should be carefully managed to ensure their survival for generations to come.

10. Black Locust

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a deciduous tree native to Ontario, Canada is the last tree on the list of our fastest growing trees in Ontario. It is a member of the pea family and can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bark of the black locust is dark grey and deeply furrowed.

The leaves are pinnate,alternate and have 7–19 leaflets. The fragrant white flowers bloom in May and June and are followed by long, flat seedpods. Black locust can be found in a variety of habitats in Ontario, from dry to moist woods and open fields. It is widely planted as a street tree and for erosion control.

The wood of the black locust is very strong and rot–resistant, making it ideal for use in fenceposts, poles and trellises. Black locust has several benefits to the environment. It is very fast–growing and provides a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies.

Its deep roots help to stabilize the soil, and its dense canopy provides shade and shelter for wildlife. Black locust is an important species in Ontario, providing wood and food for wildlife. Its many benefits make it an ideal choice for landscaping, erosion control and timber applications.

Related:

• Top 10 Largest Lakes In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Woodpeckers In Ontario
• 5 Types Of Turtles In Ontario

Conclusion

The top ten fastest growing trees in Ontario are White pine, Red maple, silver maple, Black Walnut, Northern Red Oak, American Beech, Sweetgum, Eastern White Cedar, Bur Oar, and Black Locust. The White pine is the fastest growing tree in the province, growing up to one foot per year and reaching heights of up to 80 feet.

Red Maple, and Silver Maple are also among the fastest growing trees in the province, growing between two and three feet per year and reaching heights of up to 60 feet. Balsam fir, yellow birch, black cherry, white ash, and green ash are also good choices for reforestation and landscaping projects as they can reach heights of up to 70 feet and grow between one and three feet per year.