Savings. Shopping.Get Checkmate
Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae
Looking for a privacy screen that grows faster than you can say "hedge, please!"? Aptly named Full Speed A-Hedge®, the American Pillar Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar') is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees on the market! This lush, green giant can shoot up to 3 feet a year when young, forming a dense, upright column perfect for blocking views, dampening noise, and shielding wind. Best of all? It doesn't drop messy cones and stays narrow, so it won't gobble up yard space.
This beautifully upright, columnar Arborvitae matures to 20-25 feet tall while staying only 3-4 feet wide. Its tight, green foliage maintains rich color year-round, refusing to bronze in winter, and it's naturally tidy without pruning. With no pine cones and no wild flopping limbs, this one's a true garden soldier. And thanks to its 'Hetz Wintergreen' parentage, it's both cold-hardy and heat tolerant, performing beautifully from the frigid North to the humid South.
Hardy in Zones 3-8, American Pillar shines in full sun to part shade, handles a variety of soils, and will create a natural privacy barrier in just a few growing seasons!
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
Grows up to 3 feet per year in youth
Stays under 30 feet tall—power line safe
Only 3-4 feet wide—perfect for space-saving vertical accents
Dense, green foliage year-round
No cone drop—clean and tidy
Deer resistant and low maintenance
Heat and cold tolerant (Zones 3-8)
Excellent as a living fence, noise buffer, or windbreak
Landscaping Uses
This evergreen privacy tree grows 20-25 feet tall with a narrow, 3-4 foot wide columnar habit, making it ideal where height is needed but space is tight.
Use as a fast-growing hedge or privacy screen
Perfect backdrop for perennial beds and borders
Line along driveways or property edges
Wind and sound buffer around patios or seating areas
Living fence for urban lots or country homes
Container-grown for anchoring corners of patios or entryways
Care and Maintenance
This broadleaf evergreen thrives in most conditions and is tough as nails once established. It's known for being drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and adaptable to a range of climates and soil types. Read in-depth Arborvitae care information here.
Planting Time: Spring or fall for best establishment
Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and urban conditions
Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture, especially during the first few years
Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch to conserve moisture and regulate root temps
Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in early spring with a balanced evergreen fertilizer
Pruning Info: Minimal pruning needed; shape if desired in late spring
Special Perks/Growing Tips:
Extremely fast-growing
Pollution-tolerant
Wind/sound buffering
Safe for under power lines
A Pillar of the Garden Community
The origin story of this shrub is just charming! Nurseryman John Houser discovered this beauty as a unique branch sport in his nursery. So thrilled with its potential, he delayed his retirement at age 85 to patent it, ensuring its utility would benefit landscapers and home gardeners alike!
So if you need a hedge, stat? The Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae is your green-speedy sentinel. Whether you're hiding an unsightly view or crafting your own meditative garden retreat, this tree is the go-to for beauty and performance.
Buy now and Nature Hills Nursery will ship your new privacy hedge to your doorstep at the proper planting time for your growing zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does American Pillar Arborvitae grow?It can grow up to 3 feet per year for its first few years!
How tall does American Pillar Arborvitae get?It matures around 20-25 feet tall with a narrow 3-4 foot spread.
How far apart should I plant American Pillar Arborvitae?Space 3 feet apart on center for a tight hedge or 3-5 feet on center for a looser screen.
How long does American Pillar Arborvitae live?With proper care, it can live 50 years or more!
Does American Pillar produce cones or make a mess?Nope! This variety is cone-free and tidy.
Is American Pillar deer resistant?Yes, it is naturally deer resistant.
What zone is American Pillar Arborvitae hardy to?It is cold-hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
Can I plant American Pillar near power lines?Yes, it stays under 30 feet tall, making it a safe option.
Why Order From Nature Hills Nursery?Nature Hills Nursery is committed to bringing the highest-quality plants to your door. Join thousands of happy customers and get all your planting needs at Nature Hills! We guarantee our plants for their first year! Check out lifelong support and landscaping ideas in our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog and online at customer-support.naturehills.com!
Save on Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae with a Nature Hills Nursery promo code
Checkmate is a savings app with over one million users that have saved $$$ on brands like Nature Hills Nursery.
The Checkmate extension automatically applies Nature Hills Nursery discount codes, Nature Hills Nursery coupons and more to give you discounts on products like Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae.
Checkmate users have also been loving these products from Nature Hills Nursery.
Users have been saving products like this to their collections.
