I'm looking for a very fast growing tree to plant between me and a new
house that was just built next to me. I live in Kingston, New York,
which is about 100 miles north of New York City.

What is the fastest growing tree I can plant to create a year-round
screen?

thanks,
josh

Hello there

You are asking for both fast landscape effect and year round
screening.  due to the fact that some of the fastest growing trees are
deciduous, you may want to plant mixed varieties.  The larger faster
deciduous trees for height and some lower, not so fast growing
evergreens for the privacy.

I'll start with some of the fastest growing trees for your region and
go from there.

First is the Eastern Cottonwood ( Populus deltoides ) - It can reach a
height of eighty feet with a broad crown.  Well planted, it averages 5
feet a year in height, and up to 13 feet the first year.
That information is from the website "Champion Trees"
( http://www.championtrees.org/champions/cottonwoodeasternNY.htm ) -
Note: the photos on this page are not of a tree in its prime but of
one that is very old and battered.   The cottonwood is really a very
beautiful tree.  For your situation, the growth speed is good but it
does not provide winter privacy.

A tree I have planted for much the same reason (except for winter
privacy since I'm not outside that much) is the shaggy barked
riverbirch.  They are at 40 feet and the trees are only five years
old.  They were planted as rooted six inch greenwood cuttings.  For
summer privacy, the limbs can be allowed to grow quite close to the
ground.  In fact, the lower limbs on my trees would be sweeping the
ground if I didn't cut them back so I can get underneath on the garden
tractor.  You will find a good photo here:
( http://www.greendealer-exotic-seeds.com/seeds/RiverBirch.html ) -
The bark alone makes the tree worth while.  My trees are in Ohio so
they should be winter hardy enough for your location.

If you want something a little different, why not have a planting of
redwoods in New York State.  You really can, you know.

The Dawn Redwood is a native of China and was thought to be extinct
till it was rediscovered in the 1940's.   they are being planted as
far north as New England.  They look like the classic redwood of the
Pacific coast, but unlike Pacific redwoods, these lose their leaves in
the winter.  They can grow three feet a year and you can take a look
at them here:
( http://www.cdr3.com/redwoods/re00003.htm ) - website of Empire
National Nursery

Another tree you may consider is the Ameri-Willow.  Very fast growing
and easily managed.  You can learn more about it and view some photos
(note the size of 14 month trees):
( http://www.cdr3.com/willow/ ) - this is another page from Empire
National Nursery.  One of the testimonials about Ameri-Willow is about
trees growing in Chicago, so they should be hardy enough for your
area.  If opinions matter, these would be the trees I recommend based
on your description.  While they do lose their leaves in the winter,
they can be planted close enough together that the network of branches
in the winter can still provide some privacy.  "Plant the Ameri-Willow
about five to six feet apart. Or, you can plant two off-set rows at
eight to ten feet apart, and you'll have a solid "green wall" in just
a couple years!" - Quote from website.

Now for some of the faster growing evergreens.

Norway Spruce - fastest growing spruce. They grow to a height of
100’+. These prefer a moist soil for best results. They are sometimes
called the weeping spruce and are a popular Christmas tree variety
because of their fast growth.  Just a word of caution.  While they
grow fast and produce a beautiful tree, they have no tap root which
means they can be blown over quite easily when they reach large size.

The Eastern White Pine is another fast growing tree (fast for an
evergreen, that is) and you can find photos and additional information
here:
( http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/pstrobus.htm ) -
Pinus Strobus Factsheet - From Virginia Tech.

While there are other pines, none of them create a "fast" effect in
the landscaping.

Here is a brief blurb about "arborvitae" and its use in a similar
situation but they only grow about two feet a year and top out at ten
- 15 ft.
( http://www.jsonline.com/homes/garden/apr02/34684.asp ) - From the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.

So, think about it, - -  go get some Ameri-willows and start planting.
 For those areas where you might want some additional screening, stick
in a couple of rhododendrons or evergreen azaleas for year round
greenery and blazing spring color.

Now I know what I'm going to do with my own back property line.  Thank
you.

Search - Google
Terms - fast growing trees new york state, fast growing trees, instant
effect landscapes, fast growing evergreens

If I may clarify anything, please let me know before rating the
answer.

Cheers
digsalot

Thanks!