Evergreen fast growing trees. Available from Treeshop
Overview
This page discusses and lists evergreen trees that are fast growing. The list applies to tree species of all mature sizes and all root growth attributes. We provide guidelines as to when a tree is "evergreen", and what you should expect when we classify it as "fast growing". We also study the frost tolerance of different tree species and advise tree choice accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - Evergreen Fast growing Trees
Treeshop regularly receive questions relating to evergreen fast growing trees. Herewith a few examples of such questions and Treeshop's answers
I am looking for fast growing, evergreen trees that will grow in Pretoria
Your should consider the minimum winter temperature that your trees may experience. The climate in Pretoria is not uniform. There are areas which never experience any frost. Other areas see temperatures around -2C (Typically on south facing slopes, in open areas, or near streams). Although not often, some areas may experience temperatures to -4C. At the Treeshop nursery (in Pretoria) we measured -8C during an exceptional cold spell in July 2025! In this guide page we provide down loadable PDF lists of evergreen, fast growing trees for different micro-climate zones.
I am looking for fast growing, evergreen trees that tolerate mild frost
It is excellent that you consider your minimum winter temperature in deciding which trees to plant. We define "mild frost" to occur when minimum winter temperature stay above -2C. We have measured overnight temperature drop at our home in Pretoria during the past winter and found that this minimum is reached between 6h00 and 7h00. There is quite a wide choice of trees that tolerate mild frost. You can find the list below in a downloadable PDF file. Our top three "mild frost tolerant trees" are Wild plum, Natal mahogany and White pear.
Which indigenous trees are fast growing and evergreen?
Treeshop has down loadable PDF files that list evergreen, fast growing trees for frost fee ( -0C), mild frost (-2C), medium frost (-4C) and severe frost (-6C) micro climates. We list 31 evergreen, fast growing trees for frost-free areas and only 6 for severe frost areas.
How much does a fast growing tree grow in a single season?
Treeshop classifies a tree as fast growing if its grows more than 1 meter in a season. For species that have an upright growth form you can take growth to be more or less in height. For spreading growth forms, growth rate is assumed to be a combination of height and canopy extension.
When is a tree considered to be evergreen?
Trees that are truly evergreen retain the previous season's leaf growth, and sometimes even leaves of multiple previous seasons. But all trees will eventually shed old leaves. Some species shed their old leaves during or just after their new leaves have sprouted. This situation is often listed as "semi-evergreen". Please take note that a tree's leaf growth cycle is influenced by many factors.
Frost tolerance study
Over the years we have been compiling a database of tree attributes, based on our experience of cultivating them, as well as attributes reported by trusted scientific sources. The answers below were extracted from our database by filtering it for the attributes stated (alternatively implied) by your questions.
We filtered our tree attributes database with the criteria "evergreen", "fast growing", and with four minimum winter temperature scenarios: "frost free -0C", "mild frost -2C", "medium frost -4C", and "severe frost -6C". Note that we did not include any requirements pertaining to root growth, mature size, and more.
Please find below four PDF files. Each one lists "evergreen fast growing trees" for a specific frost scenario, in alphabetic order by their scientific names. Common English and Afrikaans names are also shown. Files further contain live links to tree pages where you can find more information. You are welcome to download them and peruse the information at your leisure.
Tree growth, specifically leaf cycle and growth rate, are strongly influenced by climatic conditions. Some evergreen species may even shed leaves during a dry spell. They do so as a survival mechanism. Trees are living organisms. They respond to soil condition, lack of sunlight, pests, wind and temperature extremes. Treeshop therefore does not hold their attributes as being absolute and always accurate.
The above file contains 31 evergreen fast growing trees for planting in a frost free micro climate. This list also contains trees which tolerate mild, medium and severe frost. This is a logical recommendation, since a tree that tolerates frost, will obviously also grow in a frost free climate.
The -2C file above lists 27 trees suitable for planting in a light frost micro climate
The -4C file above lists 11 trees suitable for planting in a medium frost micro climate
And finally a list of 6 trees species suitable for planting in a severe frost micro-climate
Treeshop's top 3 evergreen fast growing trees for planting in a light frost area are as follows:
Harpephyllum caffrum, Wild-plumb, Wildepruim
Trichilia emetica, Natal mahogany, Rooiessenhout
Apodytes dimidiata, White pear, Witpeer
And for planting evergreen fast growing trees in a severe frost area we recommend:
Buddleja saligna, False olive, Witolienhout
Searsia lancea, Karee, Swart karee
Dodonea viscosa, Sand-olive, Sandolien
Sales ready images of above trees in 50L bags: They may also be available in other bag sizes
Summary and next steps
The trees reported in the PDF files were selected with only two attributes in mind: They must be evergreen; They must be fast growing. We then applied four minimum winter temperature constraints, namely -0C, -2C,-4C and -6C. Each step caused the list of trees suitable for planting to become shorter. You may have other requirements such as small mature size; non-invasive roots. Also other constraints, for example clay soil. In these cases we suggest that you read our other "Guides" pages. Go To Guides Pages Index (work in progress)
Next steps
Treeshop offers an on-line buying channel. Use this facility to get a budget order price for your selected trees. Our shop lists tree species per category (evergreen fast growing in this instance) and available bag sizes. You can specify the quantity of each species and get a budget price for your order. Delivery and planting (if needed) are unfortunately not included. Please specify your needs at checkout, We will then include service prices in your formal quotation.
Don't forget about the logistics. A 100L tree weighs about 100 Kg and may be 3m tall. It is not advisable to lift it over a wall, carry it through your house or down a staircase!
Request a formal quotation from Treeshop. We need the following information:
Invoice detail - name, address, e-mail, contact number, VAT number (if registered)
Quantity and bag size per species. (Available to us if you completed checkout)
Do you want photos of the trees that we will select for your order?
If you want delivery, a pin drop of your location.
Our delivery quotation is for drop-off at a single location. It does not include drop-off/carry to the planting location of each tree.
Accept our quotation, contact us to arrange a day and approximate time for delivery, and follow through with an EFT payment.