InnovaTree
🌳 Developed by the University of Minnesota · NRRI
The Midwest's Fastest
Growing Tree
InnovaTree™ is a remarkable hybrid poplar - naturally bred over 25 years by University of Minnesota NRRI* researchers to grow up to 10 feet per year. Now available as an easy DIY kit, shipped directly to your door.
About InnovaTree
25 Years of Research. One Extraordinary Tree.
InnovaTree™ is a hybrid poplar - a natural cross between native Eastern cottonwood and European black poplar - selectively bred over more than two decades by scientists at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota. No GMOs. No shortcuts. Just exceptional science.
The result is a tree that grows faster, lives longer, absorbs more carbon, and resists disease better than virtually any other tree available to home growers and commercial planters in the Midwest.
Now available as an affordable, easy-to-grow DIY kit through DIY Trees in Hermantown, Minnesota - so anyone can plant one in their own backyard.
Research by NRRI · University of Minnesota
Why Choose InnovaTree
A Tree Built for the Modern World
Whether you want shade in 3 years, a privacy screen by next summer, or want to do your part for the environment - InnovaTree delivers.
Unmatched Speed
By volume, InnovaTree grows 64% faster than leading commercial varieties. Under good conditions it can reach 35 feet in under 5 years - and eventually tower over 75 feet tall.
Disease Resistant
Decades of selective breeding produced a tree with strong immunity to stem canker and common leaf diseases - problems that plague many other fast-growing varieties.
Carbon Champion
InnovaTree absorbs up to 4x more carbon than a traditional Red Pine, making it one of the most effective tools available for personal carbon sequestration.
Midwest Hardy
Bred for the tough winters of the upper Midwest and Northeast, InnovaTree thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–6 - from Minnesota to the mid-Atlantic states.
Cottonless & Non-Suckering
Unlike native cottonwood poplars, InnovaTree produces no fluffy cotton in spring and will not spread via root suckers - making it a clean, well-behaved landscape tree.
Non-GMO
InnovaTree was developed entirely through selective breeding - no genetic modification involved. It is also registered with the International Poplar Commission.
Tree Characteristics
Everything You Need to Know
InnovaTree is a large, upright-oval shade tree ideal for larger yards, parks, and commercial plantings. Here are the key specs.
Applications
What Will You Plant It For?
InnovaTree's combination of speed, size, and durability makes it one of the most versatile trees available to homeowners, farmers, and commercial growers alike.
Order Your Kit Today →- Fast shade for landscaping - enjoy your yard sooner
- Ash tree or Buckthorn replacement
- Shelterbelts and windbreaks for farms and properties
- Privacy screens - a natural living fence
- Erosion control on slopes and riverbanks
- Reforestation and land restoration
- Soil pollution and phytoremediation projects
- Biomass feedstock and commercial lumber
- Quick carbon capture and sequestration
- Wildlife habitat - birds and animals love poplar
Available From DIY Trees
The InnovaTree DIY Kit
Everything you need to grow your own InnovaTree - no green thumb required. Each kit ships with an unsprouted cutting already planted in a burlap growing sack, ready to develop roots during transit. Trees are typically ready to plant outdoors in under 8 weeks from delivery.
- Unsprouted InnovaTree cutting in a burlap growing sack
- Biochar/compost soil blend for ideal growing conditions
- Recyclable growing pot (shipping and growing chamber)
- Optimized fertilizer for early growth
- Tree ID bracelet with QR code to growing instructions
- Pest guards to protect against rabbits and rodents
- Stakes, zip ties, and hardware
- Sprouting guarantee - free replacement if it fails to sprout
- Free shipping included
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About InnovaTree
Where can I grow InnovaTree?
InnovaTree thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–6, making it ideal for the Midwest and much of the Northeast United States. It does well in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and surrounding states. DIY Trees does not ship to Zone 7 and above to prevent customer dissatisfaction due to climate mismatch.
Is InnovaTree a GMO?
No. InnovaTree was developed entirely through selective cross-breeding between native Eastern cottonwood and European black poplar over more than 25 years. No genetic modification was used. It is registered with the International Poplar Commission.
How fast does InnovaTree really grow?
Under good conditions, InnovaTree can grow up to 10 feet per year, reaching 35 feet in under 5 years. By volume, it grows 64% faster than leading commercial tree varieties. Keep in mind that first-year growth is typically slower as the tree establishes its root system - as the saying goes: "First year they root, second year they shoot."
How far apart should I plant InnovaTree?
For dense privacy screens, plant trees 8–16 feet apart. Because of InnovaTree's fast-growing root system, keep trees at least 25 feet away from structures, septic systems, and wells. Do not plant beneath power lines.
How long will the tree live?
A well-cared-for InnovaTree can live over 50 years, with some sources citing up to 70 years. It is a long-lived, substantial shade tree - not a short-term ornamental.
What does the sprouting guarantee cover?
If your cutting fails to sprout within the first 2 weeks of delivery, DIY Trees will replace it for free - you pay only shipping and handling. To qualify, the tree must be watered per the growing instructions and receive direct sunlight. The warranty claim must be filed within 4 weeks of delivery.
When does DIY Trees ship InnovaTree kits?
Shipping begins in April. DIY Trees ships earlier to warmer climates and a bit later to colder ones (like Minnesota) to ensure the best planting conditions. Trees should be ready to plant outdoors within 8 weeks of receiving your kit - around Memorial Day for most Midwest customers.
What kind of soil does InnovaTree prefer?
InnovaTree grows best in well-drained loam, sandy loam, clay loam, or light clay soils with annual rainfall above 20 inches. It will tolerate occasional flooding and drought, but does not do well in heavy clay soils or areas with consistently wet feet.
From the Blog
Growing Tips & Tree News
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