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Northern Spire Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata ‘Northern Spire’
$14819 $18999
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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.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

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%

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Plant Highlights

Northern Spire Western Red Cedar highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Thuja plicata ‘Northern Spire’
  • Growing Zones
    4 - 9
  • Mature Height
    15 - 20 Feet
  • Mature Spread
    5 Feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Shade
  • Moisture
    Medium
  • Soil
    Well Drained Soil
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Pruning Time
    Early Spring

Slim Spire - Northern Spire Western Red Cedar

The Northern Spire Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata 'Northern Spire') is a fast-growing, columnar evergreen that brings year-round beauty, structure, and privacy to the garden. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this selection of the mighty Western Red Cedar stands out with its tall, narrow form, dense foliage, and rich green color that holds year-round - even in the dead of winter!

With a statuesque upright habit reaching 15-20 feet tall but staying just 5 feet wide, Northern Spire lives up to its name! The soft, fragrant, scale-like foliage forms flattened sprays that shimmer in the light and offer a pleasant aroma when crushed. The bark is reddish-brown and peels in narrow strips, adding textural interest.

These Arborvitaes’ cones are small, oblong, and discreet, appearing in summer and maturing to a warm brown in fall. It’s a tough-as-nails evergreen with a graceful, architectural presence!

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

  • Columnar form perfect for narrow spaces
  • Fragrant, evergreen foliage in flat sprays
  • Deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, handles urban pollution, and very cold-hardy
  • Fast-growing and low-maintenance
  • Native cultivar with cultural and ecological significance

Landscaping Uses

This conifer is a cultivar of Thuja plicata, a tree revered by Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest for its timber, bark, and spiritual significance. This tall, columnar evergreen is perfect for screening and structure!

  • Living privacy fence or windbreak
  • Foundation planting for large homes
  • Vertical accent in formal or naturalized gardens
  • Year-round screening for patios, pools, or hot tubs
  • Narrow footprint ideal for side yards or property lines!
  • Backdrop for flowering shrubs and perennials
  • Planted in containers for structured entryway flanking
  • Fantastic tall privacy hedge and property division along property lines

Care and Maintenance

Northern Spire is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, adaptable to a wide range of soils, and tolerant of high rainfall, clay soils, and coastal conditions. Cold-hardy, deer-resistant, and extremely tolerant of a wide range of conditions, it's a top pick for living walls, windbreaks, or elegant vertical accents.

As a woody, evergreen conifer, Northern Spire is drought-tolerant once established, loves sun, and handles both humid and wet coastal climates with ease!

  • Planting Time: Spring or fall for the best root establishment
  • Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained to moist soils; handles clay, loam, sand, and high rainfall
  • Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture; drought tolerant once established
  • Mulch: 3-4 inch-deep layer of arborist mulch or bark chips, and compost is beneficial
  • Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in early spring with balanced evergreen fertilizer
  • Arborvitae Pruning Info: Minimal; shape or lightly shear in late winter or early spring if needed
  • Special Needs/Perks:

Raise It Up With Northern Spire!

When you need height, year-round coverage, and rugged beauty in a small footprint, Northern Spire Western Red Cedar is your green knight. With its vertical elegance and carefree nature, it belongs in every garden that needs privacy or a handsome evergreen anchor!

Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the appropriate planting time for your region!

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Northern Spire Western Red Cedar grow?
Arborvitae trees and bushes tend to grow quickly—often 1-2 feet per year once established, especially in ideal conditions.

Is Northern Spire deer-resistant?
Yes, Thuja plicata cultivars like Northern Spire are naturally deer-resistant thanks to their aromatic foliage.

Can I plant Northern Spire in a container?
Yes, in a large container. It's great for patio privacy or flanking entryways, though it may need root pruning or repotting over time.

What’s the difference between Thuja plicata and Thuja occidentalis?
Western Red Cedar tends to grow larger, and faster and is more resistant to deer than American Arborvitae.

Will Northern Spire Arborvitae grow in clay soil?
Yes, it tolerates heavy, moist soils better than many evergreens, but good drainage is still ideal.

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!

Northern Spire Western Red Cedar

Northern Spire Western Red Cedar

$14819 $18999

Growing Zones

4 - 9

Mature Height

15 - 20 Feet

Mature Spread

5 Feet

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

N/A

Flower Color

N/A
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