Overview
Uses: privacy screens, living fences, property borders, narrow landscape accents, windbreaks, foundation plantings
Benefits: fast vertical growth, dense evergreen foliage year-round, narrow footprint for tight spaces, strong cold hardiness, low pruning requirements
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun/Shade
Life Cycle: Evergreen Tree
Growth Habit: Columnar, Upright — tall, narrow form with dense branching.
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 15–20 ft.
Mature Width: 4–5 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Build a tall, narrow privacy screen faster than you thought possible.
Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae is selected for its rapid vertical growth and tight, columnar form. Its dense green foliage holds color year-round, creating dependable structure and screening through every season.
This selection combines a narrow footprint with impressive height, making it ideal for property lines, tight side yards, and locations where space is limited but privacy is essential. Compared to broader arborvitae varieties, it provides coverage without overwhelming nearby plantings.
Its naturally upright habit requires minimal shaping, and once established, it performs reliably across a wide range of climates within its hardiness range.
Care
Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae Care
Plant in full sun for the most compact growth and best density. Partial sun is tolerated, though heavy shade may reduce fullness.
Provide well-drained soil. Water regularly after planting until roots are established. During extended dry periods, supplemental watering supports healthy foliage.
If desired, apply
slow release fertilizer
in early spring to encourage steady growth.
Light shaping may be done in late spring if needed, following the plant’s natural columnar form. Avoid cutting back into thick, older wood, as recovery may be slow.
For privacy screens, space plants approximately 2.5 feet apart to create a dense, continuous hedge over time.
Size
What Size is Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae for Sale Online?
Plants ship in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and are appropriately sized for their container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please
contact us.
How Large Does Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae Grow?
At maturity, this arborvitae typically reaches 15–20 feet tall while maintaining a narrow 4–5 foot width, forming a tall, vertical privacy screen.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae?
The botanical name is Thuja occidentalis ‘American Pillar’.
Is this a good option for privacy screening?
Yes. Its fast growth rate and dense branching make it a strong choice for living fences and property borders. It is featured in our
Privacy Trees & Shrubs
collection for this reason.
How does it compare to other arborvitae?
‘American Pillar’ grows faster and taller than many narrow arborvitae while maintaining a slim profile. You can explore more options in our
Arborvitaes
collection to compare growth habits and sizes.
Is it evergreen year-round?
Yes. This arborvitae retains its green foliage through winter, providing structure and screening in all seasons. It is also part of our
Evergreen Plants
collection.
