{% assign use_variant_images = false %}
{% capture vertical_scroll %}{% endcapture %} {%- if use_variant_images and variant.images[0] -%} {%- assign images = variant.images -%} {%- else -%} {%- assign images = product.images -%} {%- endif -%}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%}
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{% if forloop.first or product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay'%}
{% endif %}
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{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
All media depicts mature plants.

Full Speed A Hedge® 'American Pillar' Arborvitae

SHRUB

Description

  • The fastest way to grow your own privacy fence.
  • Can grow up to 2'/year under ideal conditions.
  • Narrow habit saves space.
  • Provides green foliage and coverage year-round.
  • Ships at an average size of 32-34" tall, floor to tip.
  • Zones 3-8, sun/part sun, 20' tall x 5' wide at maturity.
Zone 3-8
Light part sun/sun
very tall

{% capture DiscountGroup %}{% endcapture %} {% capture DiscountTier %}{% endcapture %} {% assign DiscountGroup = DiscountGroup | plus: 0 %} {% assign DiscountTier = DiscountTier | plus: 0 %} {% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% for group in product.discounts_structure.groups %} {% if group.id == DiscountGroup %} {% for tier in group.tiers %} {% if tier.id == DiscountTier %} {% for discount in tier.discount %} {% if discount.min_quantity > variant.quantity %}{% break %}{% endif %} {% assign discount_amount = discount.discount_amount | times: 100 %} {% endfor %} {% break %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% break %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.price < variant.compare_at_price %} Sale {{- variant.price | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' -}}
{{- variant.compare_at_price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% else %} {{- variant.price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% endif %} Each

Total
{% capture DiscountGroup %}{% endcapture %} {% capture DiscountTier %}{% endcapture %} {% assign DiscountGroup = DiscountGroup | plus: 0 %} {% assign DiscountTier = DiscountTier | plus: 0 %} {% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% for group in product.discounts_structure.groups %} {% if group.id == DiscountGroup %} {% for tier in group.tiers %} {% if tier.id == DiscountTier %} {% for discount in tier.discount %} {% if discount.min_quantity > variant.quantity %}{% break %}{% endif %} {% assign discount_amount = variant.quantity | times: discount.discount_amount | times: 100 %} {% endfor %} {% break %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% break %} {% endif %} {% endfor %}
{{ variant.price | times: variant.quantity | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' }}
{% if discount_amount > 0 %} Saved {{ discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' }} {% endif %}
{% for option in product.options_with_values %} {% assign optionIndex = forloop.index0 %} {% assign position = forloop.index %}
{{option.name}}
{% assign sortedvalues = option.values %} {% if option.name contains 'Length' or option.name contains 'Width' or option.name contains 'Height' or option.name contains 'Depth' or option.name contains 'Thickness' or option.name contains 'Weight' %} {% assign sortedvalues = option.values | sort %} {% endif %} {% for value in sortedvalues %} {% assign inventory_quantity = 0 %} {% assign available = false %} {% assign optionVariant = false %} {% if product.options_with_values.size == 3 and optionIndex == 2%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == variant.option2 and v.option3 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% elsif product.options_with_values.size == 2 and optionIndex == 1%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% else %} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% endif %} {% assign checked = "" %} {% if variant.options[optionIndex] == value%}{% assign checked = "checked" %}{% endif %} {% endfor %}
{% endfor %}
More Info on Plant Sizes

{% capture add_to_cart %}Neptune.cart.add({ id:{{ variant.id | json }}, quantity:{{ variant.quantity }}, properties:{ '_growingzone':['3a', '3b', '4a', '4b', '5a', '5b', '6a', '6b', '7a', '7b', '8a', '8b'],'shipping_exclusions':''} }, '.atcprod-{{ variant.id }}', { quantity: {{ variant.quantity }}, image: '//www.greatgardenplants.com/cdn/shop/products/Thuja_American_Pillar_5-sw.jpg?v=1626782311', title: 'Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae', option: 'One Gallon' }); return false;{% endcapture %} {% assign discontinued = '' %} {% for tag in product.tags %} {% if tag contains 'discontinued' %} {% assign discontinued = 'true' %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.available %} {% else %} {% unless discontinued == 'true' %} Notify Me When Available {% endunless %} {% endif %}
{% if error %}
{{error.description}}
{% endif %}
View Detailed Plant Information
↓

Plant Spacing

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag
white plant in hand icon

Hand-picked at our greenhouse

white shipped to door icon

Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

background image

More Information

Description No other hedge plant can hold a candle to the rapid growth and narrow, space-saving habit of Full Speed A Hedge® 'American Pillar' arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). It solves the problem of both waiting forever for an evergreen hedge to fill in AND taking up too much space in your (and your neighbors') yard once it does. American Pillar arborvitae is one of the best privacy trees on the market today, and combines the rapid growth rate of 'Green Giant' arborvitae with the compact, space-saving shape of Emerald Green arborvitae. Plant 'American Pillar' arborvitaes with their centers 2.5' apart - eight plants will provide 20' of lush, year-round privacy. With proper care, you can practically watch them grow, turning your yard into an oasis of privacy, and at a low cost compared to traditional fencing. This arborvitae is also heat and cold-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for an array of growing zones.   Note: Ships at an average size of 32-34" tall, floor to tip. Details Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'
Patent: USPP 20,209
Common Name: Arborvitae
Zone: 3 - 8
Sun Exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x Width: 15-20' tall, 3-5' wide
Foliage Color: Green
Season of Interest: Year-round
Features: Privacy & screening, heat tolerant, evergreens, cold tolerant
Uses: Specimen, hedge
 How To Grow Soil: Grow in any moist but well-draining soil. Avoid very wet sites; tolerates some dryness once established.
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Water: Average
Space: 2.5' apart
Fertilizing: Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring if desired.
Winterizing: A good 2-3" layer of mulch is recommended; Avoid extreme dry soil in autumn, which can cause the evergreen foliage to dry out in winter.
Maintenance: No pruning is required for Full Speed A Hedge® 'American Pillar' to grow as a dense, tight, narrow pyramid. It can be trimmed if desired.

Q & A

Your Questions on Arborvitae, Answered

Learn the best times to plant arborvitae, how to prevent winter burn, whether you should trim them, and everything else you need to know to grow them like a pro.

Grow with confidence
Thuja fluffy shrub on a house landscape

Customer Reviews

Based on 139 reviews
83%
(116)
7%
(10)
3%
(4)
2%
(3)
4%
(6)
93.3
99.2
M
M.D. (Tennessee)
Perfect!

All 10 of my American Pillar came on time; shipped when requested, in excellent packaging so they all arrived safe and sound. They were all healthy, with healthy, abundant roots, and the plants were the size expected, if not taller. I am very happy with Great Garden Plants, and have them on my "go to list" whenever I need plants in the future. Thank you!!!!

K
K.B. (Virginia)
58 days from arrival and 37 of 38 of these trees are looking good! Number 38 was refunded!

I will continue to purchase from this Great Garden Plants. The customer service personability and response time over e-mail was impressive, the plants were well received and green/healthy, and when my 60-day guarantee was nearly over: 1) They actually sent me an e-mail saying "How's it growing?" and reminded me that my 60-day guarantee was nearly over and, 2) when I sent the following images of how one american pillar randomly croaked in the last two weeks, they processed a refund for it.

What else. I liked how easy it was to add plants to my order after I had placed it and still receive the coupon pricing I originally used. Also, the bamboo bracing I used was only necessary for about 25% of the plants per top droop (perhaps it was not needed and they would grow up straight, I don't know). I just didn't want a child or dog to knock one over. Speaking of dogs, the local labrador retreiver who likes chewing leaves and branches has no interest in chewing these trees. I would say they are dog-resistant!

NEGATIVES: Not much. Some of the minor branches were broken on delivery, but it was minimal. If you see a dead branch in the images, those are broken, not bug infested or anything. I didn't want to lop anything too early. Also, there is a good amount of shipping cardboard and plastic pots to recycle, but you could reuse the material, if desired.

User picture User picture
E
E. (Massachusetts)
Ended up buying 8 trying to create screen of green on either side of our shed

Never ordered plants online till this year. Found Great Garden Plants & I have made numerous orders since April/May 2024. All have been packed well. Some plants were very small & others were more the size I was expecting but so far everything seems to be doing alright. I unbox the day they arrive and leave them out giving water. I try to get them into ground the next day but no more than 2 days after arriving. Only one out of eight had damage (broken top and one limb) to it. They seem to have adapted well. Don't expect any signs of growth till next year or 2 but I'm excited to see if these really take off the way I expect them too.

Hello! We're sorry you're unsatisfied with your plants. On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process if necessary, and we would love to replace the damaged plant once we receive the photos! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

N
N.M. (Iowa)
Broken branches

Broken branches upon arrival

Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

d
d. (Ohio)
Great packaging, but plants were pot bound

The shipping and packaging was great, and plants arrived looking healthy and were a nice size. However, all plants were very pot bound. We will see if they survive.

Hello! We’re sorry that you're unsatisfied with your plants. We do prioritize a strong, healthy root system in our greenhouse, so that the plants thrive in your garden. Our customer service team would love to assist you. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process. We have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders, and look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

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