Trees are also competing with a stand of grass for water and nutrients. Trees were 10 feet tall (approximately 1 1/2 inches caliper) at establishment. Trees were ranked by their actual growth rate in the first 10 years after planting. Trees rated as fast growing were at least 25 feet tall after 10 years.These included the American Elm (Ulmus americana), Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), and the Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Moderately fast growing trees measured 18 to 25 feet tall.rees were 10 feet tall (approximately 1 1/2 inches caliper) at establishment. Trees were ranked by their actual growth rate in the first 10 years after planting. Trees rated as fast growing were at least 25 feet tall after 10 years.