Plant field guide
Arborvitae (North Pole)
Narrow columnar arborvitae with a natural pillar shape that requires no shearing. Stays tight and compact at only 3-5 feet wide and 10-15 feet tall. Excellent for tight spaces and formal accents.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 96 in (244 cm) – 144 in (366 cm)
- Spread
- 24 in (61 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–7; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: June.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
No pruning needed to maintain narrow form. More resistant to snow damage than other arborvitae. Deer may browse. Hardy to zone 3.
Pruning
Rarely needs pruning. Light trim in early summer if desired. Never cut into old wood.
Fertilizer
Balanced evergreen fertilizer
Early spring
Mulch
2-3 inches of organic mulch.