Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is the go-to fast-growing privacy tree for tight yards, narrow side yards, and property lines where space is limited but privacy is non-negotiable. Naturally columnar and dense from the ground up, it adds up to 3 feet of dark green growth per year, reaching 20–25 feet tall while staying just 4 feet wide — giving you a wall of privacy without eating your yard. Deer resistant, evergreen, and low-maintenance. Hardy in zones 3–8.

Best for: Privacy screens, property line hedges, pool and patio screening, and narrow side yards.

Why Gardeners Choose American Pillar Arborvitae

• Fastest narrow arborvitae available: Adds up to 3 feet per year after establishment — closes privacy gaps in 2–3 seasons faster than standard arborvitae varieties.
• Naturally columnar form: Stays just 4 feet wide at maturity, making it the right choice for tight spaces, fences, and property lines where spreading trees won’t work.
• Dense from the ground up: Unlike many arborvitae that thin at the base over time, American Pillar holds its foliage density from soil level to tip — no gaps, no bare legs.
• Deer resistant: More resistant to deer browse than many arborvitae varieties — a significant advantage in suburban and rural settings.
• Wind and ice resilient: Upright branching architecture resists heavy ice loading and wind splitting better than broader arborvitae types.
• Year-round screening: Evergreen dark green foliage provides 12-month privacy and color with no seasonal gaps.

Planting & Care

• Light: Full sun to partial shade — minimum 6 hours of direct sun per day for densest growth.
• Soil: Adapts to a wide range of well-draining soils. Amend backfill with one-third aged compost to support early root establishment. Avoid consistently wet or compacted sites.
• Growth rate: Fast — up to 3 feet per year after the establishment season.
• Mature size: 20–25 feet tall × 4 feet wide.
• Spacing: Plant on 2.5–3 foot centers for a seamless, interlocking privacy screen. Position at least 2.5 feet from fences or property lines.
• Watering: Water deeply once a week from April through October during the first season. Maintain a donut-shaped mulch ring around the base — keep mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk to prevent crown rot.
• Feeding: Apply a slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous new growth.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning needed. Light shearing in late spring can maintain a tighter profile if desired. Avoid cutting into old brown wood.
• Special care: Avoid applying lawn chemicals or synthetic herbicides within 10–20 feet of the root zone, especially during the first two growing seasons.

Best Uses

• Privacy screens and living fences along property lines
• Pool, patio, and deck screening
• Narrow side yards and tight urban lots
• Windbreaks on exposed residential sites
• Formal allées and entrance plantings
• Foundation screening on tall structures

Grows Best In

• USDA Zones: 3–8
• Climate notes: Cold-hardy and adaptable across a wide range of climates. Performs well in humid, continental, and transitional zones. Tolerates heat and humidity in zones 7–8 with adequate moisture. Not recommended for hot arid climates or waterlogged soils.

Problem Solved

American Pillar is the answer for homeowners who need a fast, tall privacy screen but don’t have the yard width for a spreading hedge — it delivers maximum height and density in minimum horizontal space.

Also the right choice for gardeners frustrated by arborvitae that thin at the base or get damaged by deer and ice — American Pillar holds its structure and density in conditions where standard varieties decline.

Pro Tip

For a property line with mixed sun and shade, transition from American Pillar in the sunny sections to Schip Laurel where the shade kicks in — the two work seamlessly together for unbroken privacy coverage from end to end. Plant both on the same spacing for a uniform look.

Explore More Privacy Options

• Need a broader evergreen barrier for large rural acreage? Browse our Privacy Trees and Conifers collection.
• Looking for a ground cover to plant beneath your new hedge? Explore our Fast Growing Groundcovers.
• Browse our full selection of Evergreen Trees & Shrubs.
• See all Fast Growing Trees.
• Protect your investment with our Deer-Resistant Plants.

Shipping Information

• Ships in Quart pots (approx. 8–12 inches tall) — fully rooted and ready to plant.
• No state shipping restrictions — ships to all 48 contiguous states.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does it grow?
Up to 3 feet per year after the establishment season — one of the fastest narrow arborvitae varieties available.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes — significantly more deer resistant than standard arborvitae varieties, making it a better choice for properties with deer pressure.

Does it grow in containers?
Not recommended for long-term container growing — it reaches 20–25 feet and performs best planted in the ground.

How much sun does it need?
Full sun to partial shade — at least 6 hours of direct sun per day for the densest, fastest growth.

How tall and wide will it get?
20–25 feet tall and just 4 feet wide at maturity — one of the narrowest large privacy trees available.