Florida’s Fastest Growing Trees—And How to Keep Them From Taking Over Your Property
- Oliver Owens
- Aug 1, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
If you’ve been in Florida for more than five minutes, you already know how fast everything grows down here. Sunshine, heat, humidity—it’s like a greenhouse on steroids. That little sapling you planted for a bit of shade? Blink, and it’s towering over your roof, blocking your gutters, and nudging up your driveway with its roots.
Fast-growing trees can be a blessing or a nightmare depending on how you handle them. They’re great for quick shade, privacy, and curb appeal—but if you don’t keep up with them, they’ll take over. Worse, they can damage your home or even get your insurance claim denied after a storm. So, whether you're landscaping a new yard or trying to rein in the jungle outside your window, here’s what you need to know.
Why Do Trees Grow So Fast in Florida?
Florida isn’t just great for beach days—it’s also perfect for plant growth. The combination of long summers, frequent rain, and rich soil is like a cheat code for tree development. Here’s why they grow so fast:
Long growing seasons that don’t let up
Regular rainfall and high humidity
Plenty of strong sunlight year-round
Soil full of nutrients that feeds roots fast
All of that means your trees don’t really take a break. But while rapid growth might sound like a plus, it’s not always a good thing.
The Fastest-Growing Trees in Florida (and What They Don’t Tell You)
1. Slash Pine
Slash pines are known to grow tall—fast. We’re talking over 100 feet if left alone. They're wind-resistant and great for shade, but they’ve got weak limbs and shallow roots.
Heads up:
Their branches snap easily in storms
The roots can creep under sidewalks or toward your foundation
2. Laurel Oak
These are everywhere in Florida. They grow quickly and give decent shade. But here’s the catch: they don’t live very long. And once they age, their limbs get brittle.
Translation? A healthy-looking laurel oak might still break apart in high winds, especially during hurricane season.
3. Sycamore
They look amazing—huge leaves, interesting bark, and they get big in a hurry. But the mess they make? Constant leaf drop, and don’t even get us started on their shallow roots.
Potential problems:
Roots can lift your driveway or clog up your plumbing
Leaves everywhere, all the time
4. Mimosa Tree
These look beautiful and bloom fast, but they’re considered invasive in Florida. They can spread like wildfire and take over your entire yard.
Tip: Choose native trees instead. They’re better for the environment and way easier to manage.
5. Royal Poinciana
If you want tropical flair, this tree delivers. Huge blooms, fast shade. But the canopy is massive—and if it isn’t pruned regularly, it becomes a liability when storm winds kick in.
When Growth Becomes a Problem
We’ve seen it firsthand—beautiful trees turning into major headaches. Here’s what happens when trees outgrow their welcome:
Gutters get clogged with falling leaves and twigs
Limbs scrape the roof or drop onto your driveway
Roots crack sidewalks, foundations, or pool decks
Overgrowth makes neighbors mad when limbs cross fences
Insurance denies storm claims because the tree was “neglected”
That last one’s big. A lot of people don’t realize that insurance adjusters will absolutely use a tree’s condition as part of their decision when reviewing claims. If it was clearly overgrown or decaying, you might be footing the repair bill yourself.
How to Manage Fast-Growing Trees Without Losing Your Sanity
Start With the Right Tree (If You’re Planting New)
You’ve got options—use them. Not every fast grower is a bad choice, but you’ll want to prioritize trees that:
Are native to your area
Don’t have invasive root systems
Grow at a controlled rate
Have good disease resistance
Helpful resource: University of Florida IFAS Extension: Tree Selection Guide — this is gold if you’re starting from scratch.
Trim Early, Trim Often
You don’t need to go Edward Scissorhands on your trees, but you do need to prune. Trimming is key to keeping trees strong, balanced, and storm-ready. A good trim helps with:
Air circulation through the canopy
Reducing wind resistance
Preventing weak limb growth
Spotting disease before it spreads
Watch the Roots
Tree roots often cause more problems than the branches. They’re silent, sneaky, and destructive if left unchecked. Keep an eye out for:
Buckled pavement
Slow drains or sewer backups
Cracks in your home’s foundation
Sometimes, installing root barriers or doing selective root pruning can save you a lot of trouble (and cash) later on.
Keep Trees Away From Your House
Florida building codes usually suggest keeping trees at least 10–15 feet from your house. That’s a good baseline, but bigger trees might need even more space.
Don’t wait until branches are scratching the siding or weighing down your gutters. Trim them before they become a problem.
Stay on Top of Insurance Requirements
Insurance companies are getting more strict when it comes to tree-related damage. If they inspect your property and see overgrowth, dead limbs, or root intrusion, they could raise your premium—or worse, deny a future claim.
Keep documentation. Photos of regular maintenance, notes from a certified arborist, and even receipts from tree services can make a big difference.
Professional Tree Services Save Time and Headaches
Hiring pros isn’t just about cutting trees down—it’s about caring for your entire landscape. At All Your Way Tree Service, we’ve helped homeowners all over Valrico, Seffner, and the surrounding areas:
Keep fast-growing trees under control
Identify storm hazards early
Manage invasive roots
Keep their trees beautiful without the mess
We treat your property like it’s our own—and we’re always honest about what needs to be done now vs. what can wait.
One More Thing: Tree Growth and Property Lines
This is something we see all the time—trees growing right over fences into a neighbor’s yard. It might not seem like a big deal until that neighbor files a complaint or sends you the bill for cleanup.
Be proactive:
Keep branches clear of fences and sheds
Schedule routine trims before it’s a problem
If your neighbor’s tree is invading your space, try having a conversation before calling code enforcement
Final Thoughts: Let Them Grow—But on Your Terms
Fast-growing trees are part of life in Florida. They’re not inherently bad—but ignoring them definitely is. Whether you’re starting a landscape from scratch or trying to wrangle what you’ve already got, smart tree care will save you money, stress, and potential damage down the road.
At All Your Way Tree Service, we’re here to help you get ahead of the growth, not just react to it. From trimming to full assessments, we’ve got your back.
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