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American Pillar Thuja

$11995 $19995
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Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your American Pillar Thuja

Planting Instructions for American Pillar Thuja (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar')

  1. Soil Preparation & Site Selection:
    American Pillar Thuja grows best in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.5), though it can tolerate various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. American Pillar Thuja is often used for privacy hedges, windbreaks, or as a landscape accent because of its narrow, upright growth habit.
  2. Digging & Planting:
    Dig a hole slightly shallower than the root ball and twice as wide. The root ball should sit about 1–2 inches above the soil line to allow for settling and prevent water from pooling around the base. Use the mound technique to elevate the planting area if your soil is prone to poor drainage. Backfill the hole with a mix of native soil and compost to provide nutrients and good aeration for the roots.
  3. Spacing:
    Space American Pillar Thuja about 3–4 feet apart if planting a hedge for privacy or windbreak purposes. This spacing allows the plants to grow together and form a dense screen, while still ensuring proper airflow to prevent disease. If planting as a standalone accent, space it about 6–8 feet away from other plants or structures.
  4. Initial Watering & Mulching:
    Water thoroughly after planting to help the soil settle around the roots. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base (but not touching the trunk) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Mulch also helps suppress weeds and prevent competition for nutrients.

Care Instructions During Establishment

  1. Watering:
    During the first year, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil moisture levels. After the plant is established, it becomes more drought-tolerant, though it will still benefit from occasional deep watering during dry periods.
  2. Fertilization:
    American Pillar Thuja doesn’t require heavy feeding. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 mix) in early spring to promote healthy growth. If your soil is nutrient-poor, you can fertilize again in mid-summer, but avoid fertilizing late in the season to prevent stimulating new growth before winter.
  3. Monitoring:
    Check for any signs of stress, such as browning or yellowing of the foliage, which may indicate water stress (over- or under-watering) or poor drainage. Keeping the root zone moist but not soggy is key during the establishment phase.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning:
    American Pillar Thuja requires minimal pruning, as it naturally maintains a narrow, upright shape. You can lightly prune in early spring or late fall to remove any damaged or dead branches, or to maintain the desired shape. Avoid heavy pruning into old wood, as Thuja may not regenerate from this type of cutting.
  2. Pest & Disease Control:
    While relatively pest-resistant, American Pillar Thuja can sometimes attract bagworms or spider mites. Inspect the plant regularly, especially in summer, and if you spot bagworms, remove them by hand. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if spider mites become a problem. To prevent fungal diseases like root rot, ensure the soil drains well and avoid overwatering.
  3. Seasonal Care:
    In USDA zones 3–8, where American Pillar Thuja is hardy, it tolerates cold winters and hot summers. Before winter, apply an extra layer of mulch to insulate the roots from freeze-thaw cycles. In extremely cold climates, young plants may benefit from wrapping in burlap to protect against harsh winds or heavy snow.
What Customers say about the American Pillar Thuja:

The American Pillar Thuja thrives in Zones 3-8

Growing Zones for the American Pillar Thuja

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the American Pillar Thuja.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 3-8
Mature Height 25-30 ft.
Mature Width 4-8 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full Sun
Botanical Name Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Beware- not all American Pillar Thujas are the same.

Beware- not all American Pillar Thujas are the same.

Be sure to get superior evergreens, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" evergreens to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you American Pillar Thujas in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall evergreens in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

Row of bright green American Pillar Tall and Narrow Privacy Trees along the back side of a wooden fence, with a beautiful manicured yard in the foreground.

The American Pillar Thuja is one of the fastest-growing arborvitaes- serious height and privacy in a slim footprint.

  • Tall and narrow: 25-30 ft. tall but only 4-8 ft. wide
  • Fast-growing, adding up to 3 ft. of height per year
  • Easy privacy screen: plant 3-4 ft. apart for a dense evergreen wall
  • Cold hardy in zones 3-8, with little pruning needed

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Narrow Thuja tree, American Pillar Thuja variety, standing tall with deep green foliage, with several large tree trunks behind it.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "4-5 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!
Four slender American pillar thuja trees in a row showcasing their function as a privacy screen.

You Want American Pillar Thujas Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship tall but skinny thujas that were grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take much longer to fill in your privacy screen.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong American Pillar Thujas, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in quickly and start building your tall evergreen screen sooner.

How many American Pillar Thuja do I need?

Plan your privacy screen in three quick steps.

2What look do you want?
3How far apart will you plant them?

Enter your length to see how many trees you need.

Read more about the American Pillar Thuja

American Pillar Thuja- Fast-Growing & Dense Privacy

The American Pillar Thuja (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar') is a fast-growing, hardy evergreen known for its tall, narrow form and dense foliage, making it the perfect choice for creating natural privacy screens, windbreaks, or elegant borders. This low-maintenance tree grows quickly while maintaining its slim, upright shape, allowing you to achieve instant privacy without taking up too much space in your yard. The American Pillar Thuja is an ideal solution for homeowners who want to add year-round beauty and privacy to their outdoor spaces.

Learn More About the American Pillar Thuja:

  • Fast-Growing: Reaches up to 3 feet of growth per year, quickly forming a tall privacy screen or hedge.
  • Tall & Narrow Form: Grows 20-30 feet tall with a slender 4-6 foot spread, making it ideal for tall privacy needs or majestic accents in small spaces or narrow yards.
  • Dense Evergreen Foliage: Features lush, dark green foliage that stays vibrant year-round, offering continuous privacy and wind protection.
  • Cold Hardy & Adaptable: Thrives in USDA Zones 3-8, tolerating cold winters, hot summers, and various soil types.
  • Low Maintenance: Requires little upkeep once established, making it perfect for busy homeowners or low-maintenance landscapes.

Fast Growth for Quick Privacy and Screening

The American Pillar Thuja is one of the fastest-growing arborvitaes, adding up to 3 feet of height per year. Whether you’re looking to block out neighbors, create a natural windbreak, or simply add structure to your landscape, this tree will quickly grow into a dense, lush privacy screen or hedge. Its fast growth rate makes it a popular choice for homeowners who want immediate results without waiting years for a natural barrier.

Tall, Slim Shape Perfect for Narrow Spaces

With its narrow, columnar form, the American Pillar Thuja is ideal for smaller yards or tight spaces where traditional privacy trees might not fit. This tree grows 20-30 feet tall but maintains a slender 4-6 foot spread, allowing you to plant it along fences, driveways, or property lines without overwhelming your landscape. Despite its compact width, the American Pillar forms a dense, impenetrable wall of greenery, perfect for providing privacy, reducing noise, or blocking unsightly views.

Evergreen Foliage for Year-Round Privacy

The American Pillar Thuja boasts rich, dark green foliage that stays vibrant all year long, making it an excellent choice for year-round privacy and beauty. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter, this evergreen variety keeps its dense, lush appearance through all seasons, ensuring your privacy screen or hedge remains effective and attractive no matter the time of year. The thick foliage also provides excellent windbreak protection, making it ideal for exposed areas.

Cold Hardy and Adaptable to Various Climates

The American Pillar Thuja is highly adaptable and thrives in USDA Zones 3-8, making it a great option for gardeners across a wide range of climates. It can withstand cold winters in northern regions, as well as the heat and humidity of southern areas. This hardy tree is also tolerant of different soil types, including clay, sandy, or loamy soils, as long as it’s well-drained. Once established, the American Pillar Thuja is drought-tolerant, making it a reliable and resilient choice for any landscape.

Low Maintenance and Easy to Care For

One of the best features of the American Pillar Thuja is its low-maintenance care requirements. Once planted and established, this tree requires little attention beyond occasional watering during dry periods. It maintains its neat, columnar shape naturally, so pruning is rarely needed unless you want to shape or size the tree to your preference. Its natural resistance to pests and diseases also makes it a worry-free addition to your landscape, ideal for homeowners looking for beauty without the hassle.

Why Choose Nationwide Plants?

At Nationwide Plants, we take pride in offering the highest-quality trees and shrubs, grown with care to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in your garden. Our American Pillar Thuja trees are hand-selected for their vigor, fast growth, and exceptional ability to create natural privacy. With fast shipping and a commitment to customer satisfaction, we make it easy to bring this versatile, low-maintenance evergreen to your home.

Create Instant Privacy and Year-Round Beauty – Order Your American Pillar Thuja Today!

Transform your yard with the fast-growing, space-saving American Pillar Thuja, a low-maintenance evergreen perfect for privacy screens, windbreaks, or hedges. Known for their rapid growth and dense foliage, these tall, narrow evergreens create instant privacy while adding year-round beauty and practical protection to your outdoor space. Their sleek, upright form makes them an ideal choice for hedges or property borders. Buy American Pillar Thujas today and enjoy fast-growing beauty and natural seclusion!

Frequently Asked Questions about the American Pillar Thuja

How tall does an American Pillar Thuja get?

An American Pillar Thuja grows 25 to 30 feet tall at maturity while staying slim at about 4 to 8 feet wide. Its tall, narrow, columnar form lets you create serious height and privacy in tight spaces such as side yards, property lines, and narrow garden beds.

How fast does American Pillar Thuja grow?

American Pillar Thuja is one of the fastest-growing arborvitaes, adding up to 3 feet of height per year once established. That rapid growth makes it a popular choice for homeowners who want a tall evergreen privacy screen or windbreak in just a few seasons.

How far apart do you plant American Pillar Thuja for a privacy screen?

Plant American Pillar Thuja about 3 to 4 feet apart for a privacy hedge or windbreak. This spacing lets the narrow trees grow together into a dense screen while still allowing airflow to prevent disease. As a standalone accent, give it 6 to 8 feet from other plants or structures.

What zones does American Pillar Thuja grow in?

American Pillar Thuja is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, tolerating cold winters and hot summers. Add an extra layer of mulch before winter to insulate the roots, and in very cold, windy areas consider wrapping young trees in burlap to protect them from wind and heavy snow.

How much sun does an American Pillar Thuja need?

An American Pillar Thuja grows best in full sun, which produces the densest, most vigorous growth for a privacy screen. It can tolerate some partial shade, but trees in heavy shade tend to grow thinner and more open, which reduces their screening value.

How often should I water a newly planted American Pillar Thuja?

Water a newly planted American Pillar Thuja deeply once or twice a week during its first year, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, it becomes more drought tolerant but still benefits from occasional deep watering during dry periods.

What soil does American Pillar Thuja prefer?

American Pillar Thuja grows best in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, though it tolerates clay and sandy soils. Set the root ball 1 to 2 inches above the soil line and backfill with native soil mixed with compost.

Do you need to prune American Pillar Thuja?

American Pillar Thuja needs very little pruning because it naturally keeps a narrow, upright shape. Lightly prune in early spring or late fall to remove damaged branches or tidy its outline. Avoid heavy cuts into old wood, since thuja may not regrow from bare sections.

Why is my American Pillar Thuja turning brown?

Browning or yellowing on an American Pillar Thuja usually points to water stress from over- or under-watering, or to poor drainage. Keep the root zone moist but not soggy during establishment, and in summer check for bagworms, which can be picked off by hand, or spider mites.

Can American Pillar Thuja ship to Arizona or Oregon?

No, American Pillar Thuja cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon due to state plant shipping restrictions. For other states it comes in sizes from 8 to 10 inches up to 5 to 6 feet, with 10-packs available in several sizes for planting a privacy row.
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