Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae
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Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae - #3 Container 2-3 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
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$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
Nature Hills Container Size by Volume
Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.
Young Plants to 18 Months | ||
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Size | Volume | |
2"x2"x3" | Ranges from | .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume |
4.5" Container | Equal to | .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume |
Sprinter Pot | Equal to | .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume |
4" Container | Ranges from | .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume |
6" Container | Equal to | 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume |
1 Quart | Equal to | 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume |
5.5" Container | Equal to | 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume |
4"x4"x5" | Ranges from | .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume |
4"x4"x6" | Ranges from | 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume |
4"x4"x9" | Ranges from | 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume |
4"x4"x10" | Ranges from | 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume |
Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old | ||
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Size | Volume | |
2 Quart | Equal to | 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume |
#1 Container | Ranges from | 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume |
5"x5"x12" | Equal to | 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume |
Plants 2 - 4 Years Old | ||
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Size | Volume | |
#2 Container | Ranges from | 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume |
#3 Container | Ranges from | 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume |
Plants 3 - 5 Years Old | ||
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Size | Volume | |
#5 Container | Ranges from | 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume |
#6 Container | Ranges from | 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume |
#7 Container | Ranges from | 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume |
Plant Highlights
Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae highlights at a glance!
Plant Highlights
Plant Highlights
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Fall Color
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Pruning Time

Growing Zones 3-8
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!