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North Pole® Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'

Regular price $2614
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This evergreen performs best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can handle partial shade, you will notice a looser and less dense growth habit if it does not get enough light.
  • Soil: It thrives in moist and well drained soil that is slightly acidic. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound to keep the "feet" of the plant out of standing water, or mix in some organic compost to improve drainage.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your North Pole® Arborvitae deeply twice a week to ensure the root system anchors properly. Once mature, it is quite resilient, but you should still provide supplemental water during summer dry spells to prevent the inner needles from browning or dropping prematurely. Consistent moisture keeps the foliage lush and prevents the stress that leads to unsightly seed cones.

Pruning Tips

This variety naturally maintains a narrow and columnar shape, so it rarely needs heavy pruning. If you want to tidy it up, do so in early spring before new growth begins because it does not readily regrow from old wood. Think of it like a light trim rather than a buzz cut; simply snip back any wayward branches to maintain its sleek and vertical silhouette.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release evergreen fertilizer in early spring just as the tips begin to brighten with new growth. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. Doing so can trigger a flush of soft growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost, leading to winter burn or tip dieback.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Description

Hardy, Slender North Pole® Arborvitae Evergreen

  • Tight Columnar Habit
  • Great Screen for Narrow Sites
  • Year-Round Evergreen Color
  • Low Maintenance
  • Perfect in Containers
  • Hardy
  • Full Sun to Part Shade

For a beautiful, hardworking tree that adds elegance to your garden all year, try Proven Winners® North Pole® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'). This hardy evergreen is an outstanding Proven Winners® variety of White Cedar selected by the famed Art Boe of Faribault, MN. It is resistant to winter burn, which is great for colder climates!

It features a narrow and upright form that never needs pruning. This is a soft, green tree that makes an excellent year-round screen.

Even smaller residential landscapes can use North Pole® to create a green privacy wall. Best of all, it's narrow enough that it won't take up your whole yard!

Proven Winners® North Pole® Arborvitae will stay narrow. It's very easy to grow, is resistant to winter burn and works in either full sun or partial shade.

This plant exhibits good resistance to breakage from ice or snow accumulations, so you won't even have to worry about the harsh winter weather taking its toll on your North Pole. The dark green color holds year-round.

Hardy in a wide range of USDA growing zones 3 - 7, any gardener would love a North Pole® Arborvitae with its narrow, columnar growing habit, and low-maintenance nature. Order today!

How to Use North Pole Arborvitae in the Landscape

North Pole® Arborvitae is narrower than Dark Green, Techny, and Green Giant Arborvitae varieties. It's a great choice for taller screening in tight areas. Consider this a neighbor-friendly fence to easily block out a nosy neighbor, or an ugly view.

North Pole® Arborvitae has a tall, narrow habit filled out with dense, dark green foliage. It maintains its vibrant color year-round, so it's perfect for places where you'd like some seasonal interest during the long winter months, or to block that cold winter wind.

It will work equally well in either a formal or casual setting with its dramatic presence. This useful tree makes a great specimen or screen.

For a hedge, plant it 3 feet on center. You'll measure from the center of one trunk to the center of the next. This can be used in a side yard for easy-peasy privacy.

Or, consider using them like this to create the walls of a garden room. Create a retreat from the rest of the world with a Zen Meditation Garden and outdoor yoga studio. Heck, you can even use them for something more prosaic like hiding the garbage cans or utility box.

If you want them to stand alone as individual trees, just space them out ten or fifteen feet apart. Try planting several along the length of a shrub or mixed perennial border.

Keep them evenly spaced for a formal or ultra-modern look. Or, vary the spacing to create a natural flow and rhythm along the border.

Use this as a vertical accent around your yard to draw the eye and bring a 'right-sized' structure to your garden design. Use it as a bold accent plant in mixed borders, or wherever you need a narrow columnar selection of wintergreen has excellent hardiness and dark green winter foliage color.

A pair of these vertical accents could frame your front door. You can plant them directly in the ground, or North Poles® can also be planted in large containers.

For a fun look, try mixing North Pole® as thrillers in your seasonal flowering patio pots. They'll likely overwinter beautifully for you. Try different combinations each year, relying on North Pole® to bring a lush look no matter what you partner with.

They'll work with just about any other shrub or perennial. What a nice, versatile small tree that requires very little care!

#ProPlantTips for Care

Few problems bother this plant in most areas where it can be grown. It is hardy into growing Zone 3 and will resist winter burn in those cold areas.

Arborvitae are fairly adaptable, but some considerations should be followed for the best performance. The North Pole® appreciates full sun but tolerates dappled shade well, too. It does best when it receives at least 4 hours of sunlight per day. About the only thing North Pole® won't tolerate is full shade.

The tree prefers well-drained soil. It won't tolerate arid conditions that get too dry. Moist, well-drained soils are best. Mulch this plant with a thick 2 - 3 inch layer spread out past its canopy. Please be sure not to let any mulch touch the trunk!

Give it moderate moisture on a regular schedule. This tree can tolerate periodic heavy rains for short periods.

Please take care in areas with high populations of deer. Provide fencing and apply Deer Repellent according to the directions.

You'll never need to prune it. The plants have a soft natural look and they stay narrow and straight without any help. However, if you'd like to shape it a bit, prune it in spring before July.

What a wonderful tree! Order yours today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do north pole arborvitae grow?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae grows at a slow to moderate rate of 6-9 inches per year, reaching 10-15 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This steady growth makes it ideal for zones 3-7 where you want reliable screening without frequent pruning. Plan spacing based on its mature width for best results.

Are north pole arborvitae deer resistant?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae offers moderate deer resistance, though hungry deer may still browse during harsh winters. The dense, columnar foliage is less appealing than many other plants. For best protection in zones 3-7, consider pairing with deer repellent sprays, available at naturehills.com.

Can arborvitae grow in shade?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae tolerates partial shade but performs best in full sun. This variety is specifically noted for thriving in both full sun and part shade conditions in zones 3-7. For optimal growth and density, plant in a location with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Does it require winter protection?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae requires no winter protection in zones 3-7. This variety was specifically selected for winter burn resistance and handles ice and snow loads without breakage. Simply plant it in fall and let it naturally adapt to your climate.

How tall and wide does North Pole Arborvitae grow at maturity?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae reaches 10-15 feet tall and only 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This narrow columnar evergreen is perfect for tight spaces in zones 3-7. Shop at Nature Hills for this space-saving screening tree.

What planting zones does North Pole Arborvitae thrive in, especially in cold climates?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae thrives in USDA zones 3-7 and is specifically resistant to winter burn in colder climates. This hardy evergreen was selected in Minnesota and withstands harsh winters, ice, and snow without breakage. Plant it confidently in northern regions for reliable year-round screening.

How much water does North Pole Arborvitae need after planting?

  • Water newly planted North Pole Arborvitae deeply once or twice weekly for the first growing season. This hardy evergreen establishes quickly in zones 3-7 with consistent moisture. Reduce watering once established, as these low-maintenance trees are quite drought tolerant.

Does North Pole Arborvitae require pruning, and when?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae requires no pruning due to its naturally tight columnar form. This low-maintenance evergreen maintains its narrow, upright shape without any intervention. If you do choose to prune for shaping, do so in late spring after new growth appears.

What fertilizer should I use for North Pole Arborvitae care?

  • North Pole® Arborvitae thrives with balanced slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring. Use a 10-10-10 or similar NPK ratio fertilizer around the root zone before new growth begins. In zones 3-7, fertilize once annually in March or April for best results.

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