{"product_id":"american-pillar-arborvitae","title":"American Pillar Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMinnesota's Fastest-Growing Columnar Privacy Hedge\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'American Pillar') is the fastest-growing columnar arborvitae available — putting on 2 to 3 feet of height per year once established, yet staying narrow enough at 3–4 feet wide to fit tight property lines. Reliable to -40°F, evergreen year-round, and far more uniform than 'Green Giant' in tight hedge rows. Whether you're blocking neighbors in Edina, screening a backyard fence in Maple Grove, or framing a Plymouth driveway, American Pillar delivers a 15-foot wall of privacy in 5 to 7 years — faster than almost any other evergreen rated for Minnesota.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'American Pillar'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — 2–3 feet per year in Minnesota once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for densest form; tolerates part shade with thinner growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Established plants tolerate average rainfall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Prefers well-draining sites; mound-plant in heavy clay.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — soft scaled needles, holds rich green color through winter without bronzing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F once established. No burlap wrap needed in the Twin Cities metro.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtect in first 1–2 years — deer browse young arborvitae heavily in winter, especially in western suburbs (Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e \/ Eastern White Cedar) is native to Minnesota; 'American Pillar' is a cultivated narrow form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eProperty-Line Privacy Hedge in Tight Spaces\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Pillar's narrow 3–4 foot mature width is its killer feature for Twin Cities lots, where fences sit 5 feet from property lines and you can't afford a 12-foot-wide 'Techny' bulge. Space plants 30–36 inches on center for a fully closed hedge in 4–6 years. A 60-foot run takes about 22 plants. Pairs well with 'Techny' Arborvitae behind for a layered windbreak in larger yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDriveway and Front-Yard Accent Columns\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pair of American Pillars flanking a driveway entrance creates instant architectural punctuation that stays evergreen through Minnesota's 5-month brown season. Because the form is naturally columnar, no shearing is needed to keep that vertical line. The deep green color reads cleanly against red brick, white siding, or stained cedar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWind Block on Exposed Boulevard Strips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn east- and north-facing yards in suburbs like Woodbury, Lakeville, and Eden Prairie where winter winds scour exposed lots, American Pillar holds up better than most narrow conifers because the dense scaled foliage doesn't shed water-stressed inner branches like spruce or pine. Plant in groups of 5–7 with the leeward side mulched heavily for the first two winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant American Pillar Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like American Pillar Arborvitae. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant American Pillar Arborvitae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 30–36 inches apart for closed privacy hedge (60 ft run = ~22 plants); 4–5 feet for individual specimens or driveway columns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering American Pillar Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished American Pillar Arborvitae rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for American Pillar Arborvitae if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill American Pillar survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It's rated to USDA zone 3, which is hardier than the entire Twin Cities metro (zone 4b–5a). No burlap wrap is needed for established plants. First-year plants benefit from a deep mulch ring to prevent frost-heaving while the roots establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is American Pillar different from 'Green Giant' or 'Emerald Green'?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Green Giant' grows even faster but reaches 30–40 feet wide at maturity — way too big for most Minnesota yards, and zone 5 hardy at the edge. 'Emerald Green' is narrower and slower (1 ft per year, 12–15 ft mature). American Pillar splits the difference: fast like 'Green Giant', narrow like 'Emerald Green', and zone 3 hardy. The best modern choice for fast Twin Cities privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill deer eat American Pillar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeer browse all arborvitae in winter when food is scarce. In high-pressure suburbs (Minnetonka, Wayzata, Chanhassen), expect heavy browsing the first 2 winters — protect with snow fence, deer netting, or rotating repellent sprays. Mature plants over 5 feet are usually browsed only on lower limbs, which doesn't kill the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does American Pillar actually grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2–3 feet per year in Minnesota once roots are established (after year 1). A 10-gallon plant at purchase (~5 ft tall) reaches 15 feet in 5 years and 20–25 ft mature size in 8–10 years. Year 1 growth is slower (often only 6–12 inches) while the plant focuses on root development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, but with caveats. Heavy Minneapolis-area clay-loam holds water in spring and risks root rot if water pools. Mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade and amend the planting hole with 20–30% compost. Avoid sites with standing water after rainstorms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Techny' Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Wider companion (10–12 ft) for a two-tier privacy screen behind American Pillar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Tall (30+ ft) Minnesota-native evergreen for backyard windbreak corners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Dwarf 3–4 ft globe form for foundation plantings under American Pillar's vertical line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Deciduous accent that pairs the lime-green summer blooms against American Pillar's dark green backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many American Pillar Arborvitae Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a fully closed privacy hedge, space plants about 32 inches on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHedge Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (~32 in spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e37 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs driveway columns or single accents, space plants 4–5 feet apart, or set a matched pair to flank an entrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast new growth extends the column — 2 to 3 feet of height once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, soft scaled foliage forms a solid green wall of privacy and wind block.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds rich green as deciduous plants color and drop; no bronzing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keeps deep green color without burning through Minnesota's long winter; guard young plants from deer browse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest   ✔ Drought-Tolerant (once established)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/techny-arborvitae\"\u003eTechny Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — a wider companion (10–12 ft) for a two-tier privacy screen behind American Pillar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-hills-spruce\"\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a tall Minnesota-native evergreen for backyard windbreak corners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hetz-midget-arborvitae\"\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — a dwarf globe for foundation plantings under American Pillar's vertical line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/emerald-green-arborvitae\"\u003eEmerald Green Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — a narrow, slower upright to mix into tighter sections of the hedge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs American Pillar Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Pillar is the top pick for fast, narrow evergreen privacy in full sun on well-drained ground — a 15-foot wall in 5 to 7 years that only stays 3 to 4 feet wide. Not a fit if your site has heavy deer pressure you can't protect against, or stays wet — in soggy clay, mound-plant; in high deer-pressure yards, plan on netting or repellent for the first couple of winters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54117370888497,"sku":null,"price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54117370921265,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54117370954033,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' BB","offer_id":54117370986801,"sku":null,"price":288.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7' BB","offer_id":54117371019569,"sku":null,"price":329.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8' BB","offer_id":54117371052337,"sku":null,"price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10' BB","offer_id":54117371085105,"sku":null,"price":425.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_01_american-pillar-arborvita.jpg?v=1778046929","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/american-pillar-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}