The most popular shade trees being planted today are hybrid maples. They’re a cross between soft and hard maples, giving you the growth speed of a soft maple and the durability and fall color of a hard maple. If you want fast growth, we like the Autumn Blaze Maple and the Tulip Poplar. For great summer and fall colors, try the Summer Red Maple. The Seedless Sweet Gum grows quickly and has a great mix of fall colors. And remember, planting trees helps the environment and will help lower your utility bills.