Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| $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
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.
Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae
Plant Highlights
Full Speed A Hedge® American Pillar Arborvitae highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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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.
