Where to place a tree in the front yard?
Small trees may be planted closer than 15 feet, but large trees should be planted 20 feet or more away from the house. If the house faces south, or southeast, maximum shade on the front will come from a tree that is placed to the southwest, or left front. What is the fastest-growing shade tree? Of the 13 listed here, the one that grows the fastest is the weeping willow — it adds about 10 feet to its height each year, topping out at 40 feet. Next in line are nuttall oaks at 4 feet per year, dawn redwoods at 3.