Few landscaping frustrations sting as much as planting a privacy hedge and waiting years… for barely a foot of growth. The American Pillar Arborvitae changes that timeline, packing a dense, columnar wall of evergreen foliage that pushes upward at a rate of 3 feet per year once established. That speed, combined with a mature height of 20–30 feet and a narrow 4–5 foot spread, makes it the go-to solution for anyone who wants a natural screen without ceding half the yard to a sprawling hedge.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years tracking nursery stock, studying grower data, and sifting through aggregated owner feedback to separate truly fast-performing cultivars from marketing hype.
If you’re juggling a row of spotty saplings and wondering which cultivar will actually deliver a solid wall before your fence rots, this guide distills the vital specs. After evaluating multiple options, the best american pillar tree picks center on growth rate, structural health, and realistic shipping expectations so you can plant with confidence.
How To Choose The Best American Pillar Tree
Not every arborvitae labeled “fast-growing” lives up to the promise. The American Pillar (Thuja occidentalis) earns its reputation through a genetic predisposition for rapid vertical extension and a naturally columnar form — but only if you pick the right nursery stock and understand a few non-negotiable variables.
Confirm Your Hardiness Zone Match
The American Pillar thrives in USDA zones 3 through 8. If you live in zone 9 or warmer, this cultivar will struggle with heat stress and may never reach its advertised growth rate. Always cross-reference your zone before ordering. Buyers in zones 3–6 see the most consistent 3-foot annual jumps.
Evaluate Root-to-Shoot Ratio at Arrival
A 1- to 2-foot quart pot might look unimpressive out of the box, but a healthy root system that fills the container without circling is worth more than a taller plant with a rootball that sloshes around loose. The best nurseries ship plants that are slightly root-bound but not root-circled — this promotes rapid establishment once planted.
Spacing Is the Decisive Variable for a Hedge
Plant American Pillars 2.5 to 3 feet apart for a continuous privacy wall. Closer than 2 feet forces competition that slows overall growth; wider than 4 feet leaves gaps that take an extra season to close. Measure your linear footage and divide by 2.5 to get the exact number of plants needed for a solid screen in 2–3 years.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood American Pillar (2-Pack) | Premium | Fast privacy screen | 3 ft / yr growth rate | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack | Premium Bulk | Large property screens | 50 ft mature height | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Cold-hardy small hedge | 14 ft height, 4 ft width | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant (3-Pack) | Mid-Range | Budget starter hedge | 3 plants per order | Amazon |
| Maple Autumn Blaze (1 gal) | Budget | Fall color specimen | 40–50 ft canopy | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Greenwood Nursery American Pillar Arborvitae (2-Pack)
These two quart-potted specimens represent the true American Pillar genetics — a Thuja occidentalis selection bred specifically for a narrow 4–5 foot spread and a relentless upward drive of 3 feet per season after the first year. Greenwood Nursery’s packing process (hydrating gel on roots, craft paper sleeving, corrugated box stabilization) gives this an edge over bare-root competitors. Owners routinely report that trees triple in height within two growing seasons when planted in full sun with regular water.
The 14-day guarantee adds a safety net that budget nurseries often skip. Multiple verified buyers describe the plants as “the healthiest [they’ve] ever bought online,” with roots that are neither root-bound nor loose. The key trade-off: quart pots start small at 1–2 feet, so instant landscape impact is not the goal — patience for a 3-year screen is.
One critical shipping restriction: due to agricultural laws, these cannot be delivered to California, Arizona, Alaska, or Hawaii. For buyers in zones 3–8 outside those states, this is the most reliable way to source the true American Pillar cultivar with documented fast growth.
What works
- True American Pillar genetics with verified 3 ft/year growth
- Excellent packing with hydrating gel and craft paper
- 14-day grower guarantee covers transit stress
What doesn’t
- Cannot ship to CA, AZ, AK, or HI
- Quart pots start small; no instant visual impact
- Single negative review cites leaf loss in transit
2. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack
While not an American Pillar, the Thuja Green Giant is its closest competitor for privacy hedge duty — and this 8-pack from Perfect Plants delivers the best per-plant value in the premium tier. Each tree arrives at roughly 2 feet tall with a well-developed root system that buyers consistently praise as “not rootbound.” The foliage releases that classic Christmas-tree scent when brushed, a sensory bonus during planting.
The mature dimensions (60 feet tall, 20 feet wide) are significantly larger than the American Pillar, so this is better suited for spacious properties where a wide pyramidal form is acceptable. However, the Green Giant can be pruned to a narrower profile, and the bulk pack reduces the per-tree cost substantially compared to buying singles.
Nearly every verified review rates these trees 5 stars, noting excellent packaging and healthy arrival. The primary catch: zone 5–9 range means buyers in colder zones 3–4 should opt for the American Pillar instead, as Green Giants struggle below -20°F.
What works
- Excellent per-plant value in 8-pack configuration
- Healthy root systems with strong packaging
- Pleasant evergreen scent and lush, dense foliage
What doesn’t
- 60 ft mature height is overkill for small lots
- Not suited for zones 3–4 (cold limit -20°F)
- Wide form requires pruning for columnar habit
3. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae
For property lines where a 30-foot American Pillar would overpower the scale, the Emerald Green Arborvitae offers a more manageable mature height of 14 feet with a tight 4-foot columnar width. This is the best option for northern gardeners in zones 2–7, where extreme cold (-40°F) kills less hardy evergreens. The deep emerald color holds true through both summer heat and winter snow.
Perfect Plants ships this from their Florida nursery in a 1-gallon pot, and care instructions emphasize spring planting with regular watering during the first season. The cultivar is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established — two practical advantages over the American Pillar, which needs consistent moisture in the first two years.
The growth rate is moderate (about 1–2 feet per year) rather than the American Pillar’s 3-foot sprint, so a 14-foot hedge takes 7–10 years from a 1-foot starter. If speed is your priority, this is not the replacement — but if zone hardiness and compact size matter more, it’s a solid pick.
What works
- Extreme cold hardiness down to zone 2 (-40°F)
- Deer and drought resistant once established
- Compact 4-foot width fits narrow strips
What doesn’t
- Much slower growth than American Pillar (1–2 ft/yr)
- 14 ft height may be too short for tall privacy needs
- Some buyers report smaller-than-expected starter size
4. Thuja Green Giant (3-Pack) by Florida Foliage
Florida Foliage’s 3-pack of Thuja Green Giants hits a price point that makes it the most accessible entry into fast-growing evergreens. The trees arrive in propagation trays with spray-foam stabilization, and while some buyers note that summer shipping can cause heat stress, the overwhelming majority report healthy, vibrant green plants that establish quickly after potting.
A recurring theme across dozens of reviews: buyers treating these as “starter trees” and accounting for a few losses in shipping ends up being a cost-effective strategy. Multiple verified purchasers ordered 40+ at a time to replace aging fences and report that even damaged specimens rebounded after repotting. The key is immediate unpacking and watering — this cultivar does not tolerate prolonged time in the box.
The value proposition is straightforward: you get three plants for roughly the same cost as a single premium specimen. The trade-off is variability — some batches arrive more robust than others, and the 3-foot spacing needed for a hedge means you may need to order multiple packs to cover a full property line.
What works
- Lowest per-plant cost in the mid-range tier
- Good root development reported by most buyers
- Versatile for both hedge and specimen planting
What doesn’t
- Some shipments arrive heat-stressed in summer
- Occasional dead plants require ordering extras
- No grower guarantee for replacement
5. Maple Autumn Blaze (1 Gal) by Simpson Nursery
If you need a shade tree rather than a privacy hedge, the Autumn Blaze Maple is a legitimate alternative in the same budget bracket. This 1-gallon nursery pot delivers a fast-growing deciduous tree known for its brilliant orange-red fall display — a completely different function from the evergreen American Pillar, but a strong contender for properties where seasonal color is the priority.
Simpson Nursery’s specimen tops out at 40–50 feet with a 30–40 foot symmetrical canopy, making it a statement tree rather than a screening plant. The USDA zone range (3–8) overlaps perfectly with the American Pillar, and the drought tolerance once established is comparable. Acidic soil is preferred, so a soil test before planting is recommended.
The same agricultural shipping restriction applies (no CA, AZ, AK, or HI), and the Autumn Blaze produces no blossoms — the visual payoff is purely fall foliage. For a buyer who already has privacy hedges and wants a fast-growing shade anchor, this is the most budget-conscious route to a mature tree in under a decade.
What works
- Exceptional fall color (bright orange to red)
- Fast growth rate for a shade tree
- Broad 3–8 zone adaptability
What doesn’t
- Not an evergreen; bare in winter
- Requires acidic soil for best color
- Cannot ship to CA, AZ, AK, or HI
Hardware & Specs Guide
Growth Rate — The 3-Foot Threshold
The defining spec of the American Pillar Arborvitae is its post-establishment growth rate of 3 feet per year. Most arborvitae varieties top out at 1–2 feet annually. The difference compounds fast: a 1-foot starter reaches 10 feet in three years with the Pillar, while a slow cultivar takes 5–9 years to hit the same height. When comparing any “fast-growing” tree, look for the phrase “3 ft/yr after first year” — anything less is a marketing claim.
Spacing for Hedge Density
To achieve a solid privacy wall in 2–3 years, space American Pillars exactly 2.5 to 3 feet apart (center to center). This allows the narrow 4–5 foot canopy to overlap slightly without competing for root resources. Wider than 4 feet leaves visual gaps that take an extra season to close. For a 50-foot property line at 2.5-foot spacing, you need 20 plants — plan your order quantity before the nursery sells out in spring.
FAQ
How fast does the American Pillar Arborvitae actually grow?
Can the American Pillar be planted in partial shade?
What is the difference between American Pillar and Thuja Green Giant?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best american pillar tree winner is the Greenwood Nursery American Pillar 2-Pack because it delivers verified 3-foot annual growth, true columnar genetics, and the most reliable packing in its price tier. If you need a larger property screen and appreciate evergreen scent, grab the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack. And for a compact, extreme-cold-hardy hedge where speed matters less, nothing beats the Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae.