Fire Chief™ Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'

$84⁹⁹ $101²³

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Fire Chief™ Arborvitae highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Southern Living
Botanical Name

Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'
Growing Zones

5-8
Mature Height

3 - 5 feet
Mature Spread

3 - 4 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Well Drained
Growth Rate

Slow
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Fall

Growing Zones 5-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Bright and colorful Fire Chief™ Arborvitae, (Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe') is an evergreen plant that displays distinctive foliage coloration with reddish tips. Featuring a mid-sized rounded growth habit and an easy-to-grow nature.

The Fire Chief™ Arborvitae is well suited for providing attractive and colorful ornamentation amid the more usual greenery of the landscape. In addition to the red tips, the yellow-green foliage stands out dramatically!

Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 8 and grows into a showy evergreen ornamental 3-5 feet in height and a bit slimmer in width. A member of the Southern Living® plant line, the fiery color is disease, deer-resistant & cold hardy!

Landscape Application:

Need an eye-catching foundation hedge to light up your brick home, or a property divider that separates your front yard from the street? The Fire Chief™ is a surefire fit! Create colorful pops of red throughout mixed shrub borders, in the landscape by using this shrub as backdrops to your garden beds, and as prominent specimens!

Plant large groupings and en masse installations for your backyard songbirds, and Fire Chief™ Arborvitae provides food and shelter for wildlife. In smaller settings, plant this showy ornamental in large planters and pots on your sunny porches and balcony gardens!

Red-Tipped Bright Green Evergreen
Naturally Rounded Form
Attracts Wildlife As A Food Source
Holds Color Well In Winter
Great in Containers, Facer Plants, Edging & Border Plants

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun, you will get the best red color when grown in full sun conditions and tolerates more shaded locations but the foliage is more green in coloration. Adaptable to a wide range of soil tolerance, Arborvitae prefers moist, well-drained loams, and Fire Chief™ is intolerant of dry conditions.

A good layer of mulch around their root and a good long drink before winter helps these evergreens resist both sun and winter burning. In areas with high deer pressure, treat with deer repellant from day one to train your local wildlife to steer clear of your shrubs.

Full Sun to Light Shade
Well-Drained Soil Types
Regular Moderate Moisture Access
Trim If Needed In Spring After First Flush
Adaptable & Versatile Evergreens

The Fire Chief™ Arborvitae is a colorful and versatile mid-sized shrub that will You'll want a Fire Chief Arborvitae in your garden. Order from NatureHills.com today!

Red foliage

I planted the Fire Chief to get an arborvitae that looks different than many of the other arborvitaes I see. I got my wish, the new red growth is an eye catcher.

Hello Uncle Harold,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Fire Chief™ Arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear that the red new growth has made it a standout addition in your garden — its vibrant hues really do add such a striking visual interest compared to the usual greens.

For continued healthy coloration, be sure to plant it in full sun and avoid overwatering, which helps maintain the fiery red tones. If you ever have questions about pruning or fertilizing to enhance its color during the growing season, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help your Fire Chief™ thrive!

Thanks again for your kind words and happy gardening!

Representative Sapling,
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Red foliage

I planted the Fire Chief to get an arborvitae that looks different than many of the other arborvitaes I see. I got my wish, the new red growth is an eye catcher.

Hello Uncle H.,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Fire Chief™ Arborvitae! We’re thrilled to hear that its striking red new growth is exactly what you were looking for and that it’s adding such a beautiful touch of color to your landscape. It’s always wonderful to see a plant exceeding expectations and standing out in a delightful way.

If you ever want tips on how to keep that vibrant color lasting throughout the seasons or how to best care for your Fire Chief™, we’re happy to help. Generally, providing it with well-draining soil and full sun will keep that fiery hue popping! Should you need any guidance on watering schedules or pruning techniques as your arborvitae matures, just reach out.

Thanks again for your kind words and for welcoming this unique arborvitae into your garden.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Good Size For Hedge

This tree is the perfect size for a hedge / privacy screen. Great color, too!

Dear Happy S.,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that the Fire Chief™ Arborvitae is just the right size for your hedge or privacy screen and that its vibrant color is meeting your expectations. It really is a stunning plant that makes for a lovely natural barrier.

If you’re looking to keep your hedge looking pristine, we recommend regular watering, especially during its first growing season, along with occasional mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pretty soon, your Fire Chief™ Arborvitae will give you a lush and protected space to enjoy.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need tips for pruning or pest care—we’re always happy to help!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Good Size For Hedge

This tree is the perfect size for a hedge / privacy screen. Great color, too!

Dear HappySam,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that the Fire Chief™ Arborvitae is the perfect size for your hedge and privacy screen needs, and that you’re enjoying its vibrant color. It's a fantastic choice for creating both beauty and privacy in your garden.

If you ever need tips on care or trimming to keep your hedge looking eye-catching and healthy, feel free to reach out. Proper watering and occasional pruning can really enhance growth and maintain that rich hue. We’re here to help ensure your planting journey continues to be a success.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Avborvitae

I love it ! Just what I have been looking for, to adorn my yard.Also serve as a privicy screen & a dust chatcher

Dear Di B.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Fire Chief™ Arborvitae! We're thrilled to hear it’s exactly what you were looking for to enhance your yard. It’s fantastic that the Arborvitae is serving double duty as both a privacy screen and a dust catcher—a brilliant way to add beauty and function in one.

If you haven’t already, be sure to give your Fire Chief™ Arborvitae some regular watering especially during dry spells, and applying a mulch layer can help maintain soil moisture and reduce dust even more effectively. These trees also respond well to light pruning if you wish to maintain shape or density for privacy.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need tips as your yard grows. Your success and satisfaction mean so much to us!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

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Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150+	$24.99

Fire Chief™ Arborvitae

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