An American Arborvitae tree is the go-to solution for homeowners needing a dense, fast-growing privacy screen without the decades-long wait of slower evergreens. These columnar conifers deliver year-round foliage, require minimal upkeep, and thrive in cold climates where other privacy hedges struggle.
I’m Min — the co-founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. I’ve spent hundreds of hours combing through nursery catalogs, analyzing root systems, and cross-referencing hardiness zone data to help you pick the best American Arborvitae tree for your specific landscape goals.
Whether you need a narrow windbreak, a towering property-line barrier, or a compact foundation accent, this guide breaks down the top contenders for the best american arborvitae tree based on growth rate, mature dimensions, and real customer outcomes.
How To Choose The Best American Arborvitae Tree
Not all Arborvitae trees are created equal. Mature height, growth rate, spacing requirements, and winter hardiness vary dramatically between cultivars. Knowing your zone and the final dimensions your space can accommodate is the only way to avoid costly replanting later.
Match the Cultivar to Your Growing Zone
The Thuja occidentalis family covers zones 2 through 9, but individual varieties have narrower ranges. Emerald Green thrives in zones 2-7 but struggles with southern humidity, while Green Giant prefers zones 5-9 and demands more heat. Check your USDA hardiness zone before picking a tree — planting outside the recommended range nearly guarantees failure.
Prioritize Width Over Height
Most buyers focus solely on how tall an Arborvitae grows, but width determines spacing and long-term crowding. A Green Giant can spread 15-20 feet wide, while an Emerald Green stays under 4 feet. Measure your planting area: narrow spaces call for columnar varieties like American Pillar, while larger lots can accommodate the pyramidal spread of Green Giant.
Evaluate the Growth Rate Realistically
Advertised rates of 3 feet per year apply only to established trees in ideal soil with consistent moisture. First-year growth is slower as the root system settles. If you need a fully mature screen within three years, buy larger starter sizes (3-gallon containers or 2-foot-plus saplings) rather than quart pots.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Nursery American Pillar | Premium | Fast narrow privacy hedge | 3 ft/year growth, 20-30 ft tall | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant 10-Pack | Mid-Range | Large-scale windbreaks | 40 ft mature height, 15 ft wide | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant 5-Pack | Mid-Range | Budget starter hedge | 6-12″ tall in 2.5″ pots | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green | Premium | Compact foundation hedging | 14 ft tall, 4 ft wide columnar | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Green Giant | Premium | Immediate large-screen planting | 3-gallon pot, 30-50 ft mature | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Green Giant 8-Pack | Premium | High-volume coverage | 2 ft tall per tree, 60 ft max | Amazon |
| Brighter Blooms Emerald Green | Premium | Premium ready-to-plant specimen | 3-4 ft tall on arrival | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Greenwood Nursery American Pillar Arborvitae
The Greenwood Nursery American Pillar Arborvitae lives up to its billing as a truly fast-growing privacy hedge. This Thuja occidentalis cultivar pushes at least 3 feet of new growth annually after its first year, which means you can achieve a solid screen in just two to three growing seasons when spaced 2.5 to 3 feet apart. Its narrow columnar habit stays between 20 and 30 feet tall without the massive width of a Green Giant.
This tree ships as a quart pot, giving it a head start over bare-root alternatives. The root system arrives intact and the foliage holds up well during transit thanks to Greenwood’s craft-paper sleeving and cardboard stabilization. Growers in zones 3 through 8 can plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil, and the cultivar is naturally deer and disease resistant.
Customer reports consistently note robust green color upon arrival and strong early growth in diverse climates from North Carolina to Missouri. The 14-day guarantee covers transit stress, though most trees arrive in excellent shape. For anyone prioritizing speed and a tidy columnar profile, this is the smartest single-tree investment.
Why it’s great
- Proven 3 ft/year growth rate after establishment
- Narrow 20-30 ft mature height ideal for tight hedges
- Deer and disease resistant for lower maintenance
Good to know
- Only one quart pot included per order
- Some variability in early transplant success depending on soil
2. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae
The Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae is the definitive choice for homeowners with limited lateral space. Its mature dimensions cap at 14 feet tall and only 4 feet wide, making it a natural fit for foundation plantings, narrow property lines, and tight urban lots. The 1-gallon grower’s pot ensures the root ball is well-developed before transplanting, reducing shock compared to smaller starter sizes.
This cultivar is exceptionally cold hardy, thriving in zones 2 through 7 without browning or dieback through harsh winters. The foliage maintains a vibrant emerald hue year-round, and the tree requires minimal pruning to keep its natural pyramidal shape. Perfect Plants ships directly from their Florida nursery, and customer feedback highlights the excellent packaging and moist soil condition upon delivery.
Buyers consistently report trees arriving between 1.5 and 2 feet tall — exceeding the listed size — with strong central leaders and no bent branches. The compact growth habit means you can space these just 3 feet apart for a continuous privacy wall without worrying about overcrowding at maturity. It is the premium solution for anyone who needs tall screening in a narrow footprint.
Why it’s great
- Stays under 4 ft wide at full maturity
- Hardy down to zone 2 with no winter damage
- Arrives larger than advertised in most cases
Good to know
- Slower growth rate compared to Green Giant
- Not recommended for zone 8 or warmer climates
3. Thuja Green Giant 10-Pack
This 10-pack of Thuja Green Giant saplings delivers the best raw value for homeowners planning a large-scale privacy screen or windbreak. Each tree is shipped as a potted plant in its own soil and container, with typical starter heights of 7 to 10 inches. The Green Giant is famously vigorous, adding 3 feet of height annually once established and reaching up to 40 feet tall with a 15-foot spread.
The pack includes enough trees to cover roughly 60 to 70 feet of linear hedge when spaced 6 to 7 feet apart — the recommended spacing for a quick screen. The trees are hardy in zones 5 through 9 and tolerate partial shade, though full sun yields the densest foliage. Panter Nursery’s five-day guarantee is shorter than most, but customer reviews overwhelmingly report healthy arrivals and vigorous first-year growth.
Real buyers in northern Missouri report these trees survived winter lows and doubled in size with consistent drip irrigation. The primary caveat is the narrow five-day window for reporting damage, so inspect and plant promptly. For volume buyers on a budget who need a fast-growing, tall screen, this pack is the most cost-effective route.
Why it’s great
- Ten trees for under — unbeatable per-unit cost
- Proven 3 ft/year growth in ideal conditions
- Potted soil reduces transplant shock
Good to know
- Only five-day guarantee window
- Some variability in individual tree size
4. Thuja Green Giant 5-Pack
This 5-pack of Green Giant Arborvitae offers a lower-volume entry point for buyers who need fewer trees or want to test a cultivar before scaling up. The trees arrive in 2.5-inch pots at 6 to 12 inches tall, making them easy to transplant into larger containers or directly into prepared ground. The Green Giant’s natural pyramid shape requires no pruning to maintain its form.
Growers should note that these trees, like all young evergreens, demand consistent watering during their first season to establish deep roots. The dark green foliage transitions to a bronze tone in winter, adding seasonal interest. The trees thrive in full sun to partial shade and tolerate clay soil better than many Arborvitae varieties.
Customer ratings are mixed, with some trees dying after transplant and others thriving vigorously. The variability likely stems from post-planting care differences rather than nursery quality. This five-pack is best suited for confident gardeners who understand that young saplings require attentive watering and protection from extreme heat in the first month.
Why it’s great
- Five trees in one order for a quick hedge start
- No pruning needed for natural shape
- Adaptable to clay soil conditions
Good to know
- Higher failure rate reported by some buyers
- Small 2.5-inch pots require careful transplanting
5. Green Promise Farms Green Giant (3-Gallon)
The Green Promise Farms Thuja Green Giant ships in a substantial 3-gallon container, giving buyers a much larger head start than quart or 2.5-inch pot options. This fully rooted tree arrives ready for immediate planting (weather permitting) and quickly establishes itself thanks to the well-developed root mass. The mature size is imposing — 30 to 50 feet tall and 12 to 16 feet wide — so this choice demands ample space.
This is a western Arborvitae hybrid that tolerates both full sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to different yard exposures. The soft medium-green foliage is dense and rich, providing effective screening even before the tree reaches full height. Green Promise Farms recommends spacing of 12 to 16 feet apart, which means fewer trees are needed to cover a large property line.
Buyers consistently mention that the tree exceeds size expectations for the #3 container, with healthy stems and no shipping damage despite heavy boxes. The year-round appeal and rapid growth make this the go-to for anyone who wants a specimen-sized tree with instant landscape presence.
Why it’s great
- Large 3-gallon pot provides established root system
- Reaches 50 ft at maturity for towering screens
- Adaptable to sun or partial shade
Good to know
- Requires 12-16 ft spacing — not for tight areas
- Heavier shipping weight (13 lbs) may limit options
6. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack
The Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack delivers eight trees at a generous 2-foot starting height each, giving buyers a significant head start toward a mature privacy screen. The Green Giant can ultimately soar to 60 feet tall with a 20-foot spread, but its vigorous growth rate means those 2-foot whips will fill in rapidly when properly spaced. The dense, dark green foliage releases a distinct Christmas-tree aroma when crushed.
Each tree arrives individually tagged with planting instructions, and Perfect Plants wraps the root balls in plastic and base paper to retain moisture during transit. Customer feedback from coast-to-coast shipments confirms that the packaging protects the foliage and stems even during multi-day journeys. The trees thrive in zones 5 through 9 and require minimal maintenance once established beyond regular watering during dry spells.
The 25-pound shipping weight reflects the larger starter size, but the payoff is visible height gain in the first season. Buyers appreciate that not every tree reaches exactly 2 feet, but all arrive healthy with robust root systems. For a bulk order that balances size and value, this eight-pack is the sweet spot.
Why it’s great
- 2 ft starting height accelerates screen establishment
- Excellent packaging for long-distance shipping
- Individual tags and instructions for each tree
Good to know
- Heavy 25 lb package may require help moving
- Minor height variation between individual trees
7. Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae (3-4 ft)
The Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae is the closest you can get to an instant privacy tree without buying mature nursery stock. Arriving at 3 to 4 feet tall in a heavy-duty container, this tree skips the first few years of babying that smaller pots require. Its mature height of 15 feet with a 4-foot spread makes it perfect for tight foundation accents or a formal hedge line that never demands pruning.
This Emerald Green cultivar is a stellar performer across varying soil types and weather extremes, adapting to zones where other narrow evergreens struggle. Brighter Blooms backs the tree with a warranty that covers delivery issues, providing peace of mind for a larger investment. The foliage is dense and deep green, holding its color through winter without the bronze tint some Arborvitae develop.
The main limitation is that larger specimens are heavier and more prone to shipping stress — some customers report bent leaders from mishandling during transit. However, the seller’s responsive customer service and warranty replacement policy mitigate this risk. For buyers who want a mature-looking hedge immediately, the Brighter Blooms 3-4 foot Emerald Green is the clear premium choice.
Why it’s great
- 3-4 ft starting size for near-instant landscape impact
- Warranty coverage for delivery-related damage
- Deep green foliage that holds color year-round
Good to know
- Cannot ship to AK, AZ, HI, or OR
- Larger size increases risk of shipping damage
FAQ
How far apart should I space American Arborvitae for a privacy hedge?
Why are my newly planted Arborvitae turning brown?
Can Arborvitae recover from deer damage?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the best american arborvitae tree winner is the Greenwood Nursery American Pillar because it delivers the fastest growth in a narrow columnar form that fits tight spaces. If you want a compact, low-maintanance hedge for foundation planting, grab the Perfect Plants Emerald Green. And for covering a long property line with towering height, nothing beats the Perfect Plants Green Giant 8-Pack.