CHARLES REYNOLDS: Red cedar among fast-growing trees

Whether they’re young or elderly, novice gardeners typically want landscape plants that grow fast and require little maintenance. Today’s column — focusing on native trees — is the first of occasional reviews of plants with rapid growth rates, as well as other attributes

Among native evergreen species, a medium-sized tree that delivers plenty of bang for the buck is cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana). Ranging from 20 to 40 feet tall, this lustrous-leaved species grows throughout the Southeast and thrives on almost any well-drained site. Cherry laurel is particularly attractive for weeks during spring due to multitudes of conspicuous clusters of white flowers. In addition, the tree’s 1/3-inch rounded fruit mature to black and are relished by birds, even though there’s scant flesh surrounding a single large seed.

Markedly different, but just as desirable in the landscape, is Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). An elegant tree that grows at a gallop, red cedar occasionally tops 60 feet on sunny, well-drained sites. Established specimen are extremely drought tolerant. Female plants — even without a male tree nearby — bear blue fruit that attracts hungry birds.

Perhaps our most sinister native tree is strangler fig, which — in the wild — begins life as an epiphyte that eventually overwhelms its host (usually a cabbage palm). In the landscape, however, the strangler serves as a large, handsome tree that grows 40 to 60 feet tall at an impressive pace. This species (Ficus aurea) boasts large, glossy leaves and produces sweet, juicy, 1/3-inch red or yellow figs, especially in spring.

Shifting to deciduous trees, among the fastest is sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), occasionally growing over 150 feet tall with a correspondingly broad canopy. Long-lived and storm resistant — unlike many plants that enjoy fast growth — the sycamore flaunts peeling bark on its trunk and major limbs, giving the tree a mottled appearance. Its leaves — up to 10 inches wide — fall in late autumn and early winter, requiring considerable raking. Encourage young specimens with light but frequent fertilization and regular irrigation.

Our most colorful deciduous native is probably red maple, a species (Acer rubrum) that craves moist sites but adapts well to irrigated landscapes. Ranging from 30 to 70 feet tall, this maple makes gardeners see red: Red flowers, fruit and new growth. In addition, the late-autumn to early-winter foliage turns shades of red and orange, at least in the best specimens. In fact, red maple is outstanding much of the year.

Charles Reynolds, a Winter Haven resident, has an associate’s degree in horticulture and is a member of Garden Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ballroom16@aol.com