American Pillar Thuja

American Pillar Thuja is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and performs best in full sun in moist but well-draining soil. It tolerates a range of soils as long as water never stands around the roots; soggy ground leads to root rot.

Planting

1. Choose a site in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct light) for the densest, fullest growth.
2. Make sure the soil drains well; amend heavy clay with compost and avoid low spots that collect water.
3. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball is tall.
4. Set the plant so the root flare (where the trunk widens into roots) sits right at or just above ground level. Do not bury the trunk.
5. Backfill with native soil, firm gently, and water in deeply to settle out air pockets.
6. Apply 2-3 in. of mulch over the root zone, keeping it a few inches back from the trunk.

Hedge spacing: For a continuous privacy row, space plants roughly 4-6 ft. apart on center; tighten toward 4 ft. for the fastest solid screen and widen toward 6 ft. if you want each plant to show more of its natural form.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Water deeply and regularly through the first 1-2 years while roots establish. As an evergreen, it also needs water during dry spells in fall and early winter, since foliage continues to lose moisture and can desiccate.
• Feed. Apply a light, slow-release evergreen or conifer fertilizer in early spring. Avoid heavy feeding late in the season.
• Light. Full sun gives the tightest, fullest foliage; in shade the plant grows thinner and more open.
• Prune/shear. Arborvitae tolerates shearing well. Trim the green outer growth in late spring or early summer to shape and thicken the screen. Thuja can regenerate from the green canopy, but it is still best to avoid cutting deep into bare interior wood.
• Spacing. Keep privacy rows at roughly 4-6 ft. on center so plants knit together into a solid screen.
• Pests & disease. Watch for bagworms, whose spindle-shaped cases can defoliate branches if left unchecked; remove them by hand or treat early. Good airflow and proper drainage prevent most foliage and root problems.
• Winter care. In snowy regions, gently brush heavy snow off the branches to prevent the upright form from splaying open under the load.

How far apart should I plant them for a privacy hedge?

For a solid privacy row, space American Pillar Thuja about 4-6 ft. apart, measured trunk to trunk. Plant nearer 4 ft. for the quickest continuous screen, or closer to 6 ft. if you prefer to see a bit more of each plant's shape as it matures.

How fast does it grow and how soon will it fill in?

It is a fast grower and one of the quicker arborvitae types for screening. With full sun, good soil, and steady water during establishment, a properly spaced row typically reads as a usable privacy screen within a few seasons.

How tall and wide will it get?

Expect a mature height of 25-30 ft. and a spread of 20-25 ft. Its upright, columnar-to-pyramidal habit carries that height in a tall, narrow profile, which is why it works well as a vertical privacy wall.

Is it evergreen year-round?

Yes. American Pillar Thuja holds its soft green foliage through all four seasons, so the screen stays full and green even in the depths of winter.

Is it deer resistant?

No. Like other Thuja occidentalis arborvitae, American Pillar is a favorite of deer and is often browsed heavily, especially in winter. In areas with deer pressure, protect young plants with fencing or netting, or apply repellents through the colder months.

Why is my arborvitae turning brown?

A few common causes:

• Drought or winter desiccation. Dry roots in summer, or evergreen moisture loss in dry, windy winters, both cause browning. Water deeply, including in dry fall and winter spells.
• Normal inner-needle drop. Older interior foliage naturally browns and sheds in fall while the outer canopy stays green; this is normal.
• Bagworms. If you see brown patches with small spindle-shaped cases hanging from branches, treat for bagworms promptly.