Illinois plant and tree must be brave in USDA zones 4 - 6 , the zone line up in that state , to produce by rights . Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in those zone are prime for planting in Illinois due to their quick growth ; the nurseryman can see fast results and the tree can reach maturity quicker before storms have a chance to wipe them out .
Boxelder
The boxelder or ash tree - leaf maple , known botanically as the Acer negundo from the maple family line , is an wanton - to - grow , fast - produce tree diagram . It will get up to 50 feet tall with compound parting that are light yellowed , maturing to green , then yellow - brown in the dusk . It can pass 15 base tall in only 4 to 5 years . develop in full Sunday and moist soil . Propagate via seed or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones 2 - 9 .
Red Maple
The cerise maple or swampland maple , known botanically as the Acer rubrum from the maple household , is a tight - growing wetland tree . Leaves are deciduous . It may get 120 feet marvelous but typically is 40 to 50 feet magniloquent . Grow in full Lord’s Day or fond specter in any grunge . circulate via cuttings in USDA hardiness zones 4 - 9 .
River Birch
The river birch , known botanically as the Betula nigra from the birch family , is a tight - growing tree diagram . It gets 50 to 70 foot magniloquent with red - browned barque . leave are glossy and 3 inch long , turn yellow in fall . Grow in full sun or fond tincture in moist acid soils . circularise via seeds or cuttings in USDA hardiness zone 4 - 9 .
Silver Maple
The silver maple or white maple , make love botanically as the Acer saccharinum from the maple family , is an prosperous - to - grow , fast - grow tree . It vex 60 to 80 feet tall . Leaves are dark-green on top and silver on bottom and deciduous . Those leaf turn a rich red or yellow in the autumn . originate in full sunshine or partial shade in moist well drained soil conditions . broadcast via cutting or seminal fluid in USDA hardiness zones 4 - 8 .
Paper Birch
The newspaper publisher birch rod or canoe birch , do it botanically as Betula papyrifera from the birch family , gets 50 to 70 foot marvelous on average with some strike 100 feet in summit . Leaves on this fast - growing tree diagram are 2 to 3 inch long , sour from green to yellow or orangish in autumn . Chalky bark can fray off easily and looks like layers of newspaper . originate in full sun or partial shade with unconstipated lachrymation . distribute via seed or cuttings in USDA hardiness geographical zone 2 - 7 .