When choosing between American Pillar arborvitae vs Emerald Green arborvitae for your privacy hedge, growth rate is often the deciding factor. American Pillar can grow an impressive 3 feet per year, while Emerald Green typically adds just 12 inches annually. This dramatic difference means your American Pillar hedge could reach its mature height in significantly less time.
Height potential varies considerably between these popular fast growing arborvitae options. American Pillar reaches 15-20 feet tall with a width of 3-5 feet, making it ideal for creating tall privacy screens. Emerald Green, however, tops out at 12-15 feet with a similar width of 3-4 feet. Additionally, if you're creating a hedge, you'll need about the same number of plants for either variety—approximately 8 American Pillars or 8-9 Emerald Greens for a 20-foot run.
We often get asked about the best arborvitae for privacy, and the answer depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for rapid results, American Pillar is the clear winner. In fact, unlike Green Giant, another popular variety which can grow to an overwhelming 50–60 feet and requires significant space, American Pillar delivers dense coverage faster and fits comfortably in both small and large yards.
In this guide, we'll help you understand the key differences between these popular arborvitae varieties, from their distinctive appearances to their growing requirements, so you can make the right choice for your landscape.
Visual and Structural Differences
The aesthetic differences between American Pillar arborvitae and Emerald Green arborvitae extend beyond their growth patterns, creating distinct visual impacts in your landscape.
Tree Shape: Columnar vs Pyramidal
American Pillar showcases a distinctive columnar growth habit, growing straight upward with minimal outward spread. This tall, narrow profile makes it perfect for creating sleek privacy screens in tight spaces. Conversely, mature Emerald Green trees develop a more pyramidal shape. Despite both belonging to the same species (Thuja occidentalis), their structural differences are immediately noticeable. American Pillar maintains its columnar form throughout its life, whereas Emerald Green starts somewhat stout before developing its characteristic pyramid silhouette.
Furthermore, this shape difference distinguishes them from Green Giant arborvitae, which grows in a triangular form—wide at the base and tapering toward the top.
Foliage Texture and Color: Dense Green vs Bright Green
Upon closer examination, both varieties feature scale-like sprays of foliage, yet their appearance differs substantially. American Pillar displays dense, deep green foliage that creates a solid visual barrier. Meanwhile, Emerald Green boasts—as its name suggests—vibrant emerald-green foliage that truly shines in sunlight.
The foliage texture of both varieties feels soft to touch, with fan-like sprays that provide a gentler appearance than needled evergreens. Nevertheless, American Pillar's foliage typically grows more densely packed, enhancing its effectiveness as a privacy screen.
Winter Appearance: Consistent Green vs Yellowing Tips
Winter appearance represents a key differentiator between these varieties. American Pillar maintains its green coloration throughout winter, making it ideal for year-round privacy. Emerald Green, meanwhile, develops yellow-green tips during colder months. This winter yellowing, sometimes called "bronzing," is natural for many arborvitae varieties.
Come spring, both varieties return to their characteristic colors as chlorophyll production increases. For landscapes where winter appearance matters, American Pillar's consistent coloration throughout the seasons gives it a distinct advantage over Emerald Green's seasonal color fluctuations.
Size, Growth, and Space Planning
Size differences play a crucial role when selecting between these popular arborvitae varieties for your landscape projects.
Height and Width: 15–20 ft vs 12–14 ft
American Pillar arborvitae reaches impressive heights of 15-20 feet at maturity with a slender width of only 3-5 feet. This ultra-narrow form makes it particularly suitable for smaller yards or areas where horizontal space is limited. Emerald Green arborvitae, by comparison, achieves a more modest mature height of 12-14 feet with a similar width of 3-4 feet. Both varieties maintain their columnar form throughout their lifespan, though American Pillar typically grows taller while staying proportionally narrower.
Growth Rate: 3 ft/year vs 1 ft/year
The growth rate difference between these varieties is substantial. American Pillar demonstrates remarkable vigor, growing 2-3 feet annually after establishment. In optimal conditions, it can even achieve growth spurts of 3-4 feet per year. Conversely, Emerald Green maintains a more measured pace, typically adding 1-2 feet per year. This significant growth disparity means an American Pillar hedge can reach full privacy height in approximately half the time required for Emerald Green.
Spacing Needs for Hedges and Borders
For creating dense privacy screens, proper spacing is essential. American Pillar arborvitae should be planted approximately 3 feet apart for an optimal hedge. Some specialists recommend spacing them as close as 2.5 feet apart for extremely dense coverage. Emerald Green requires similar spacing despite its slower growth rate—generally 4 feet between trunks creates an effective screen. For both varieties, planting distances affect how quickly the hedge fills in completely.
Arborvitae Size Chart Comparison
When comparing these varieties to other popular arborvitae options, consider:
|
Variety |
Mature Height |
Mature Width |
Annual Growth |
|
American Pillar |
15-20 ft |
3-5 ft |
2-3 ft |
|
Emerald Green |
12-14 ft |
3-4 ft |
1-2 ft |
|
Green Giant |
50-60 ft |
15-20 ft |
3-5 ft |
|
Techny |
15 ft |
6-10 ft |
2-3 ft |
Although Green Giant grows equally fast as American Pillar, it spreads significantly wider, consequently requiring fewer plants (4-5) to create a 20-foot hedge compared to American Pillar (8) or Emerald Green (8-9).
Climate Suitability and Care Needs
Both arborvitae varieties offer exceptional adaptability to different growing environments, yet with notable differences in their resilience.
Hardiness Zones: Zone 3–8 vs Zone 3–7
American Pillar thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, making it suitable for regions with temperatures as low as -30°F. Emerald Green grows well in zones 3-7, offering slightly less heat tolerance at its upper range. Essentially, American Pillar handles warmer southern conditions better, giving it an edge in versatility across more diverse climates.
Soil and Watering Requirements
These evergreens adapt to various soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils, provided the soil drains properly. Both varieties prefer consistently moist conditions without being waterlogged. First-year plants require weekly watering, whereas established trees need supplemental watering primarily during dry spells. Moreover, neither tolerates prolonged drought well—a key consideration for low-maintenance landscapes.
Sunlight Tolerance and Shade Impact
Full sun (6+ hours daily) produces the densest foliage for both varieties. In partial shade, growth becomes less compact, potentially compromising their effectiveness as privacy screens. For optimal growth rate, especially with fast-growing American Pillar, unobstructed sunlight remains crucial.
Deer and Disease Resistance
Unfortunately, American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) varieties rank among deer's favorite winter foods. Western arborvitae offers better deer resistance. Regarding diseases, both show good resistance to common issues except under crowded conditions.
Use Case: Privacy, Hedges, and Landscape Fit
The landscape design potential of arborvitae varieties stems from their distinct growth habits and maintenance requirements. Let's examine which works best for specific applications.
Best Arborvitae for Privacy in Small Yards
For limited spaces, American Pillar arborvitae stands out as the superior choice. Its remarkably narrow profile—just 3-4 feet wide at maturity—allows it to create effective privacy barriers even in compact areas. Unlike broader varieties, this columnar shape doesn't encroach on valuable yard space. Furthermore, American Pillar's dense growth habit forms a solid visual barrier without requiring excessive pruning. As you browse our selection of privacy trees, consider that American Pillar combines the rapid growth of larger varieties with a space-saving footprint.
American Pillar vs Emerald Green for Fast Growing Hedges
Regarding growth rates, there's simply no contest. American Pillar consistently achieves 3-4 feet of annual growth versus Emerald Green's modest 1 foot. This translates to a complete privacy screen in roughly half the time. For a 20-foot hedge section, both require similar quantities—approximately 8 American Pillars or 8-9 Emerald Greens. Given identical spacing requirements yet dramatically faster results, American Pillar offers clear advantages for impatient homeowners.
Maintenance Over Time: Pruning and Shape Retention
Neither variety demands extensive maintenance once established. Both can grow naturally without pruning, yet respond well to occasional trimming. For shape control, American Pillar can be topped once it exceeds 10 feet to customize your screen height. Unlike some varieties that develop bare patches with age, American Pillar maintains consistent density throughout its lifespan.
American Pillar Arborvitae vs Green Giant: When to Choose Each
The decision between these popular varieties hinges primarily on available space. Green Giant reaches impressive dimensions—50-60 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide—making it ideal for substantial privacy screens and windbreaks on larger properties. Alternatively, American Pillar's narrow form (3-4 feet wide) serves perfectly for tight spaces where width constraints exist. Since both grow at similar rates of 3-4 feet annually under ideal conditions, space availability should guide your selection.
Conclusion
Choosing between American Pillar and Emerald Green arborvitae ultimately depends on your specific landscape needs and timeline expectations. American Pillar clearly wins the race for rapid privacy with its impressive 3-foot annual growth rate, towering height potential of 15-20 feet, and consistently green winter appearance. Consequently, homeowners seeking quick results will find this variety particularly appealing.
Emerald Green, though growing more slowly at just 1 foot per year, still offers certain advantages with its vibrant emerald coloration and slightly more compact mature size. This variety works well for those who prefer a more gradual landscape development or have moderate height requirements.
Both varieties share similar care needs regarding soil conditions and watering requirements, though American Pillar demonstrates better adaptability across hardiness zones 3-8 compared to Emerald Green's range of 3-7. Space considerations undoubtedly play a crucial role in your decision—American Pillar's narrower profile makes it ideal for smaller yards where space comes at a premium.
We recommend American Pillar for most privacy screen applications due to its faster growth, year-round color retention, and space-efficient columnar shape. Nevertheless, Emerald Green remains a solid choice for those preferring its distinctive bright green foliage and who can wait longer for their privacy hedge to mature.
Before making your final decision, take time to assess your specific landscape requirements including available space, desired mature height, and how quickly you need privacy. Additionally, you can always browse our selection of privacy trees to find the perfect arborvitae variety that matches your unique needs and growing conditions.
FAQs
Q1. Which arborvitae variety grows faster for quick privacy? American Pillar arborvitae grows significantly faster, adding up to 3 feet per year compared to Emerald Green's 1 foot annual growth. This makes American Pillar ideal for establishing privacy screens quickly.
Q2. How tall do American Pillar and Emerald Green arborvitae grow? American Pillar arborvitae reaches a mature height of 15-20 feet, while Emerald Green typically grows to 12-14 feet tall. Both varieties maintain a narrow width of 3-5 feet.
Q3. What are the main differences in appearance between American Pillar and Emerald Green arborvitae? American Pillar has a columnar shape with dense, deep green foliage that stays green year-round. Emerald Green has a more pyramidal shape with bright emerald-green foliage that may develop yellow tips in winter.
Q4. How do these arborvitae varieties differ in climate tolerance? American Pillar is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, while Emerald Green thrives in zones 3-7. This means American Pillar can tolerate slightly warmer conditions in southern regions.
Q5. Which arborvitae is better suited for small yards? American Pillar is ideal for small yards due to its narrow, columnar shape that reaches just 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This allows for effective privacy screening without taking up too much horizontal space.