If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably looked at your backyard and thought, “I need some shade—fast.” I get it.
Arizona heat doesn’t play nice, and waiting years for a tree to grow just isn’t the vibe.
That’s why I’ve rounded up my favorite fast-growing trees for Arizona gardens—ones that thrive in our desert sun, grow like crazy, and make your outdoor space a whole lot cooler (literally and figuratively).
Stick around, I’ve got some practical picks and personal tips to share!
1. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Desert Willow is like the cool cousin of the tree world, laid-back, stylish, and totally at ease in dry Arizona heat. It’s perfect for adding flair without fuss.
It quickly grows up to 25 feet tall and fills out with pink or lavender blooms that smell amazing and attract hummingbirds and bees.
Once established, it asks for very little, just occasional deep watering, and still puts on a show all summer long.
- Fast growth: 2–3 feet per year
- Blooms nonstop in warm weather
- Minimal watering and very heat-tolerant
2. Arizona Ash (Fraxinus velutina)
This one’s a shade superstar. Arizona Ash is the go-to for people who need a big, leafy tree ASAP.
It grows up to 50 feet tall and spreads wide, creating a natural green umbrella over your yard in just a few seasons.
I always recommend the Fan-Tex variety because it’s male, so you won’t get those messy seed pods in fall.
- Quick shade provider with broad canopy
- Choose Fan-Tex for low maintenance
- Needs deep watering to stay healthy
3. Tipu Tree (Tipuana tipu)
Tipu Tree is your show-off friend, the one that grows tall and flashy and steals the scene.
It hits 30–40 feet easily, with a sweeping canopy that provides massive shade, especially welcome during Arizona’s blistering summers.
When it blooms with golden flowers, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. Just make sure to give it space, it gets big fast.
- Golden yellow blossoms in early summer
- Handles drought and heat with ease
- Great for wide open spaces
4. Palo Verde (Parkinsonia spp.)
Our state tree isn’t just symbolic, it’s also one of the most adaptable, fast-growing desert trees you can plant.
Palo Verde varieties like ‘Desert Museum’ grow quickly and offer a soft canopy of filtered shade, which is perfect if you don’t want full sun blockage.
Plus, the green bark actually helps the tree make food even without many leaves, how cool is that?
- Grows up to 40 feet, depending on variety
- Yellow spring flowers add vibrant color
- Desert Museum is thornless and backyard-friendly
5. Mesquite Tree (Prosopis spp.)
Mesquites are true desert survivors and grow surprisingly fast when happy. They’re also great for wildlife and edible landscaping.
They can hit 30–40 feet with wide, umbrella-like canopies that cast awesome filtered shade, perfect for patios or BBQ spots.
Go for Chilean or hybrid varieties if you want fewer thorns and less cleanup around the yard.
- Drought-tolerant and very hardy
- Produces edible pods (grind them into flour!)
- Spreading canopy creates ideal shade
6. African Sumac (Rhus lancea)
Need something evergreen and low-fuss? This is your tree. African Sumac stays green year-round and spreads quickly into a dense canopy.
It grows around 25–30 feet tall and has a tidy, rounded shape, perfect if you don’t want wild, untamed growth.
One heads-up, it can shed leaves in winter, but nothing a quick rake can’t fix.
- Evergreen foliage all year
- Tolerates heat and poor soil well
- Great privacy screen once mature
7. Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Most fast-growing trees skip the fall color, but not this one. Chinese Pistache gives you red and orange foliage, even in Arizona.
It grows 35–50 feet tall, with a balanced, upright structure that looks great as a centerpiece.
Super hardy and adaptable, it can handle urban areas, full sun, and dry conditions like a champ.
- Colorful fall foliage rare for desert trees
- Grows well in tough conditions
- Needs space to fully show off its color
8. Shoestring Acacia (Acacia stenophylla)
This one adds elegance with a twist, its long, narrow leaves give it a soft, weeping shape that’s super unique.
It can hit 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide quickly, and it’s very clean, not a messy dropper like some others.
It thrives on minimal water and works beautifully in modern or desert-style yards.
- Soft, graceful look for landscaping
- Low mess and water needs
- Works well in narrow spaces or medians
9. Drake Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Need a no-drama tree that just grows and looks good doing it? Drake Elm has your back.
It grows to about 40–50 feet, with strong, arching branches and a pretty mottled bark that peels like paper.
It’s hardy in all kinds of soils and stays semi-evergreen in warmer parts of Arizona.
- Fast-growing shade tree
- Beautiful bark and canopy shape
- Handles urban stress and heat
10. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)
I love Eucalyptus for its soothing scent and modern vibe, it’s the kind of tree that makes your whole yard smell spa-like.
It grows up to 60 feet, especially the Red Gum and Ghost Gum types, and is quick to shoot up in warm climates.
Just be cautious with spacing, some types grow tall and wide, so keep them away from buildings.
- Fragrant, stylish blue-gray leaves
- Very fast-growing, especially with water
- Needs open space to grow safely
11. Fruitless Mulberry (Morus alba ‘Fruitless’)
Want maximum shade without sticky fruit mess? The Fruitless Mulberry is a backyard legend.
It grows up to 50 feet tall with a wide canopy, and in just a few seasons, your yard goes from sun-baked to cool and cozy.
Just double-check you’re getting the non-fruiting variety, or your patio may become a purple splatter zone.
- Thick canopy offers deep shade
- ‘Fruitless’ type is low maintenance
- Grows well with minimal care
12. Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
This one is slower to start, but trust me, it’s totally worth the wait.
Texas Mountain Laurel tops out around 10–15 feet, but its purple flowers smell like grape candy, yes, really.
It’s super low maintenance, and once it matures, it becomes a sturdy and fragrant evergreen.
- Fragrant spring blooms every year
- Compact size great for patios or borders
- Drought-hardy and attractive year-round
Final Thoughts, Shade, Speed, and Style
If you’re dreaming of a yard that looks lush without a decade of waiting, these fast-growing trees are your answer.
Whether you’re chasing shade, fall color, or fragrant blooms, Arizona has trees that can grow fast and stand up to the heat. Pick your favorites, give them room to grow, and you’ll have a backyard oasis before you know it.
Here’s to shady afternoons and beautiful backdrops, happy planting, my friend.