Proven Winners American Pillar Arborvitae

About this plant

The Proven Winners American Pillar Arborvitae is an exceptional selection of Thuja occidentalis, celebrated for its remarkably columnar and dense growth habit. This evergreen maintains its vibrant green foliage through all seasons, providing year-round beauty and structure to your landscape. It's an ideal choice for creating refined borders, sophisticated privacy screens, or as a striking vertical element in smaller gardens where space is at a premium. Unlike many other arborvitae, the American Pillar holds its tight form without extensive pruning, making it a low-maintenance solution for a polished look. Its adaptability to various soil conditions and its general hardiness ensure it thrives in a wide range of climates. Whether you're defining property lines, enhancing a formal garden, or adding evergreen interest to a mixed perennial bed, the Proven Winners American Pillar Arborvitae brings enduring elegance and a vertical exclamation point to your outdoor living space. Its consistent color and strong form make it a cornerstone for any well-designed garden.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in a variety of soils, provided they are well-drained. Prefers full sun for best growth and density, but will tolerate some light shade. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant. Light pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain a desired shape or remove any dead branches, though it naturally maintains its narrow form. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.