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Waiting years for a privacy screen to fill in is the single biggest frustration in residential landscaping. Most evergreens inch along at a glacial pace, leaving your yard exposed to neighbors, wind, and road noise for half a decade. Fast-growing cypress trees and their hybrid cousins change that timeline from a decade to a couple of seasons, but choosing the wrong variety for your specific soil and climate can still cost you valuable growing time.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I spend my time digging through horticultural research, comparing seedling root-stock quality, and analyzing thousands of verified owner reports to separate the varieties that truly deliver on their growth claims from those that underperform after planting.
Whether you need a dense year-round screen, erosion control on a slope, or a towering windbreak that adds property value, this guide cuts through the nursery hype to identify the best fast growing cypress trees for every real-world planting scenario.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Cypress Trees
Not every tree labeled “fast growing” actually delivers usable height in your first year. The difference often comes down to three factors: the genetic growth ceiling of the variety, the root-stock size you receive at planting, and the soil conditions you prepare before you dig. Understanding these variables keeps you from wasting a season on trees that stall out.
Growth Rate Potential vs. Actual Performance
A Thuja Green Giant can push 3 to 4 feet per year once established, while a Hybrid Willow (Austree) claims up to 10 feet annually under ideal conditions. Those numbers assume full sun, consistent moisture, and well-drained loam. If you plant in heavy clay or partial shade, shave 30 to 50 percent off the advertised rate. Look for varieties that match your real soil and light exposure — not the best-case nursery tag.
Root-Stock Size and Establishment Success
The most common failure point for fast-growing trees is transplant shock caused by undersized or dried-out root systems. Cuttings under a pencil’s thickness or quart-sized pots with circling roots often fail to establish in the first 30 days. Prioritize products that ship larger root stock — 12-inch-plus plugs for Thuja, or 5/8-inch-thick cuttings for willows — because thicker stems store more energy for root development during that critical first season.
Spacing, Climate, and Long-Term Maintenance
Fast growth demands space. Space your Thuja Green Giants 6 to 7 feet apart for a dense screen, or 10 to 12 feet for individual specimen trees. Hybrid Willows need even more room — 8 to 10 feet minimum — because their root systems aggressively seek water. Also confirm your USDA zone matches the tree’s tolerance range: Emerald Green Arborvitae thrive in zones 3 through 8, while Hybrid Willows prefer zones 4 through 9. Planting outside the hardiness zone wastes your investment.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant 6-Pack | Premium | Large-scale privacy screens | 16-inch rooted quart pots | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Thuja 5-Pack | Premium | High-quality immediate planting | 1-gallon containers, 2 ft tall | Amazon |
| 50 Hybrid Willow Trees | Mid-Range | Massive erosion control projects | 10 ft/yr claimed growth rate | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Emerald Green | Mid-Range | Narrow formal hedges | #3 container, 18-20 ft mature height | Amazon |
| 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Cuttings | Mid-Range | Budget-friendly fast screen | 10-inch cuttings, 5/8-1+ inch thick | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant 3-Pack | Budget | Entry-level privacy start | Organic live plants, 5 lbs weight | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Budget | High-quantity windbreaks | 7-10 inch potted plants | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Lot of 6, Quart Pot
This six-pack from Sandys Nursery Online represents the ideal balance of value, root development, and growth potential for anyone serious about building a privacy screen quickly. Each tree ships in a quart pot with a well-rooted 16-inch plant — not a bare-root stick or a tiny plug that needs a full season just to wake up. The broad pyramidal form and medium-to-dark green foliage hold their color through winter, so you get year-round screening from year one.
Multiple verified buyers reported the packaging is professional, with each tree individually wrapped in moisture-retaining plastic and nested securely to prevent stem damage during transit. The root balls are consistently described as “impressive” for the pot size, which directly reduces transplant shock. Keep in mind these do not ship to Arizona or California due to agricultural restrictions, and the mature height of 30 to 50 feet demands you plan your spacing accordingly.
For a mid-premium investment, you get six established plants that hit the ground running. Owners who planted in spring saw 12 to 18 inches of new growth in the first season, and by year three, a solid 6-foot-tall screen. If you want the most reliable path to a tall, dense barrier without gambling on cutting survival rates, this lot is the clear choice.
What works
- Large 16-inch rooted plants with impressive root balls for quart pots
- Excellent moisture-retaining packaging minimizes shipping stress
- Proven 3-4 ft/year growth rate after first-season establishment
What doesn’t
- Does not ship to Arizona or California
- Individual trees vary from 10 to 16 inches, not fully uniform
2. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack
When you need the largest possible head start, the 1-gallon container size from Perfect Plants is the premium option in this lineup. These ship as fully rooted 2-foot-tall plants with protective plastic wrapping, thick box walls, and individual tags with care instructions. The root systems are notably robust for this size class, which means they can handle being planted in spring or early fall with minimal dieback.
The Thuja Green Giant in a 1-gallon pot reaches a mature height of 50 to 60 feet with a 20-foot spread at the base, so this is not a hedge plant for a tiny suburban lot. Perfect Plants includes detailed planting instructions, and multiple owners reported that every shipment arrived without a single damaged branch, even on cross-country orders. The foliage carries that classic Christmas-tree aroma when bruised, which adds sensory appeal to the screening function.
The trade-off is cost per tree. You pay a premium for the container size and the meticulous packaging, but if you are planting fewer than 10 trees and want near-certain survival with visible height gain in the first season, this pack justifies the expense. Buyers who ordered additional sets noted that the seller’s consistency across multiple shipments is rare in the live-plant space.
What works
- Largest starting size at 2 feet tall in a 1-gallon root system
- Exceptional packaging prevents damage even on cross-country transit
- Established root ball drives visible first-season height gain
What doesn’t
- Premium price per tree compared to quart-sized alternatives
- Not all plants reach a full 2 feet; some arrive slightly shorter
3. 50 Hybrid Willow Trees – Austree Grow 10 Ft/Yr
If your primary metric is annual height gain and you are planting on a large property or erosion-prone slope, the Hybrid Willow from CZ Grain delivers the raw speed that no Thuja variety can match. The 50-count bundle gives you a serious quantity for the investment, and the cuttings are designed to root within a week when soaked in water and kept in indirect sunlight. Owners who followed the included video instructions reported roots and buds visible in under seven days.
The catch is the wide variability in cutting thickness. Some bundles include stems as thick as a pencil, while others are significantly thinner, and thinner cuttings have a much higher failure rate. Multiple verified reviews noted that about 14 out of 50 stems were robust, with the rest being undersized. The grower provides detailed instructions and a replacement guarantee, but you will lose some plants if you do not cull the thinnest cuttings yourself before planting.
Willows are heavy water users — they will dry out a boggy area, but they also need consistent irrigation during the first year. Once established, the growth is genuinely remarkable, with some owners reporting 8 to 10 feet in the second growing season. This is a high-reward option for the patient buyer who can manage the variable cutting quality and the high water demand.
What works
- Fastest growth potential at up to 10 feet per year once established
- Excellent for erosion control, drying wet areas, and rapid privacy
- Detailed video instructions improve rooting success rates
What doesn’t
- Cutting thickness varies widely; thin stems often fail to root
- Extremely high water consumption requires drip irrigation or wet soil
4. Green Promise Farms Emerald Green Arborvitae #3 Container
The Emerald Green Arborvitae fills a different niche from the spreading Green Giants. Its upright, narrow form — maturing at 18 to 20 feet tall but only 5 to 6 feet wide — makes it the right choice for tight property lines, foundation plantings, or formal hedges where you cannot spare lateral space. The #3 container (3-gallon) gives you a substantial 12-pound plant with a fully developed soil ball that can be planted immediately in zones 3 through 8.
Green Promise Farms ships these potted and ready to go, and owners consistently reported healthy bright-green foliage upon arrival, even when the outer boxes showed some crushing. The growth rate is moderate compared to a Green Giant — expect 1 to 2 feet per year after the first season — but the density of the foliage is superior for a formal screen. The rich emerald color holds through winter without the bronze tinge that some arborvitae develop in cold weather.
The downside is the initial size. At roughly 12 inches tall in the 3-gallon pot, these look small for the per-plant investment. You are paying for the established root system and the narrow form factor, not for immediate height. If you need a quick tall screen, stick with Green Giants. If you need a precise, narrow spine of green that stays tidy with minimal pruning, this is the variety.
What works
- Narrow mature width of 5-6 feet fits tight planting spaces perfectly
- #3 container provides a massive, immediate root system for fast establishment
- Deep emerald color holds all winter without bronze discoloration
What doesn’t
- Slower initial growth at 1-2 ft/year compared to Green Giants
- Initial plant height feels small relative to the container investment
5. 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings
This 24-pack jumbo cutting bundle from CZ Grain addresses the biggest complaint about willow cuttings — undersized stems — by guaranteeing a minimum thickness of 5/8 inch with some reaching over 1 inch. Each cutting measures roughly 10 inches tall, and the thicker root stock stores enough energy to push roots and shoots simultaneously. Owners in Southern Alabama reported blooms within a week of soaking and near-total survival when kept consistently watered.
The Austree hybrid is bred specifically for fast vertical growth and no messy cotton or seeds, making it a cleaner option than standard willow. The recommended use case is privacy hedges, windbreaks, and erosion control along ditches or property lines. Because these are bare-root cuttings rather than potted plants, you have about 24 to 48 hours after receiving them to get the stems into water or moist soil. Pre-soaking for a week in a bucket of water before ground planting dramatically boosts success rates.
The main risk is the same as with any cutting-based product: variable results depending on your soil, climate, and follow-through. Some buyers reported that the first batch failed to root, while a replacement batch thrived after switching to container-starting in potting mix rather than direct ground planting. If you are willing to invest the upfront soaking step and keep the soil moist for the first season, this pack delivers the best cost-per-tree ratio for rapid willow growth.
What works
- Thick 5/8-1+ inch root stock stores more energy for first-year growth
- Excellent cost-per-tree ratio for large-scale screening projects
- Quick rooting response when soaked before planting
What doesn’t
- Bare-root cuttings require immediate attention and proper soaking technique
- Survival rates vary significantly by soil moisture and climate consistency
6. Thuja Green Giant 3 Live Trees
This three-pack from Florida Foliage is the entry-level way to start a Thuja Green Giant hedge without committing to a larger count. The trees are organic-grown and arrive as small but healthy live plants with green foliage intact. Multiple verified buyers commented on the excellent packing and the fact that all stems arrived unbroken and vibrant, even after cross-country shipping during warm weather.
The main limitation here is the starting size. These are young plants weighing about 5 pounds total for the bundle, so do not expect a privacy screen in the first year. The trees need to be planted in full sun with regular watering during the first growing season, and they benefit from a slow-release fertilizer application in early spring. The deer-resistant trait is a genuine advantage if you are planting near woodland edges where browsing pressure is high.
Given the low per-tree cost, this pack makes sense as a trial run before scaling up to a larger order. Plant these three, track their growth through the first season, and if they take off, order a larger lot for the rest of your property line. The only real complaint from owners was shipping carrier mishandling causing some soil displacement in the pots, but the plants themselves arrived in good condition.
What works
- Low-cost entry point to test Thuja Green Giant performance in your soil
- Excellent packing ensures healthy arrival with intact stems
- Deer resistant foliage protects against wildlife browsing damage
What doesn’t
- Small starter size requires a full season before visible screening effect
- Only three trees per pack; scaling up requires multiple orders
7. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 Inches Tall
When you need to plant a windbreak or long property line on a tight budget, this 10-pack of 7-to-10-inch potted Thuja Green Giants delivers the quantity without cutting corners on genetics. These are the same Thuja standishii x plicata hybrid that grows up to 3 feet per year once established, and they are shipped as potted plants in their own soil, not bare-root sticks. The expected mature height reaches 40 feet with a 15-foot width at the base.
Buyers in northern Missouri reported that these trees survived a hard winter and doubled in size by the following fall when given consistent watering through a bucket-drip system. The recommended spacing is 6 to 7 feet apart for a quick screen, and the potting soil holds moisture well enough to give you a few days of buffer between waterings. Some winter browning is normal during the first year, but the foliage re-greens in spring as long as the roots are not sitting in waterlogged clay.
The trade-off for the low per-plant cost is the smaller starting height and the need for protective fencing in areas with deer. Several buyers noted that deer nibbled the small plants, so a temporary wire cage around each tree for the first winter is a smart precaution. If you have the patience to protect them through year one, the fast growth in years two and three makes this the most cost-effective way to establish a large Thuja screen.
What works
- Lowest per-tree cost for building a large windbreak or hedge
- Potted in soil, not bare-root, reducing transplant shock
- Proven 3 ft/year growth after first-season establishment
What doesn’t
- Small 7-10 inch starting height needs one season to fill in
- Heavy deer browsing in rural areas requires protective fencing
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate (Feet Per Year)
The most critical spec for fast-growing cypress trees is the vertical growth rate once established. Thuja Green Giants reliably add 3 to 4 feet annually after year one. Hybrid Willows (Austree) claim 8 to 10 feet per year but require constant moisture and full sun. Emerald Green Arborvitae grow slower at 1 to 2 feet per year but produce the densest formal screen. Always discount nursery claims by 20 to 30 percent for less-than-ideal soil or partial shade conditions.
Mature Dimensions and Spacing Requirements
Mature height and spread dictate how far apart to plant. Thuja Green Giants reach 40 to 60 feet tall with a 12-to-20-foot spread at the base. Plant 6 to 7 feet apart for a solid screen or 10 to 12 feet for individual specimens. Emerald Green Arborvitae top out at 18 to 20 feet tall with a 5-to-6-foot spread, making them suitable for tight corridors at 4 to 5 foot spacing. Hybrid Willows need 8 to 10 feet between trees to avoid root competition.
FAQ
Which grows faster: Thuja Green Giant or Hybrid Willow?
How far apart should I plant Thuja Green Giants for a privacy screen?
Can I plant fast-growing cypress trees in clay soil?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best fast growing cypress trees winner is the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 6-Pack because it combines established 16-inch plants, professional packaging, and proven 3-to-4-foot annual growth in one reliable package. If you need the absolute fastest year-two height gain for erosion control or massive privacy walls, grab the 50 Hybrid Willow Trees. And for a tight formal hedge that stays narrow without aggressive pruning, nothing beats the Green Promise Farms Emerald Green Arborvitae.