Degroot's Spire Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire'
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Preorder Shipping Schedule
We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.
| Zone 3-4 | Week of March 30th |
| Zone 5 | Week of March 16th |
| Zone 6-12 | Week of March 2nd |
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
- Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
- Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Full Root Pouch planting guide
Choosing the Right Size
| Size | Plant Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quart | 6 mo to 1 yr | Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings. |
| #1 Container | 1 to 2 yrs | Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners. |
| #2 Container | 2 to 3 yrs | Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment. |
| #3 Container | 3 to 4 yrs | Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size. |
| #5 and larger | 4+ yrs | Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact. |
Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Description
Sculptural Screen Degroot's Spire Arborvitae
- Interesting Form
- Slender Columnar Evergreen
- Soft Foliage
- Native Selection
- Screening for Tight Spaces
- Incredible Specimen Tree
- Tolerates Periodically Wet Soils
- Easy Care
When planning a privacy screen in a tight space, such as a sideyard, there isn't much better than Degroot's Spire (Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire') Arborvitae. With some evergreens, you can expect a uniform canvas, but not with this striking accent plant.
This columnar form of American Arborvitae delivers an unexpected, rich texture with layered stacks of green spires. This slender variety keeps your eye moving to add a lot of visual impact in a small space.
When "ho-hum" won't do, choose a different path. This is an improved, narrow Arborvitae that works extremely hard in your landscape.
Use it where you don't have much room but still want to delineate your space beautifully. This selection won't grow out of bounds in your landscape.
Native to North America, the "White Cedar" is a valuable, hardy alternative to Italian Cypress. Use it even in areas that stay a bit wet on occasion.
You can shear the rich, green foliage as needed, but you might want to give its twisting natural look a try. It just gets better with age. In time, you'll grow to really love this special tree.
The feathery foliage is nice, lush and soft when it's grown in full sun. You'll love the way it turns bronze in winter, contrasting beautifully with the snow.
Order Degroot's Spire Arborvitae today and get started on your privacy screen or vertical accent.
How to Use Degroot's Spire Arborvitae in the Landscape
Degroot's can be used in very creative applications. Create a "landscape professional" look, all for the cost of a few trees and grasses.
Use as a marvelous single specimen at the corner of your house. Or, use it as a focal point in a mulched planting bed with other plants, including smaller evergreen shrubs.
If you have the room, create a special collection of columnar evergreen trees. Nature Hills has plenty of options to choose from. Repeat the use of each variety several times.
Choose to create a solid screen by planting 2 ½ feet apart on center, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next.
Or, expand the spacing out so you see each tree as an individual. Both ways look amazing, and you can certainly use both techniques in a mixed planting.
Consider installing a large piece of special garden art, fountain or bench near the center of your planting.
Achieve a formal look with a symmetrical design arranged around a centered focal point. Or, add modern, informal charm with an offset planting pattern.
You'll definitely appreciate the effortless contrast of flowing Ornamental Grasses set against your Degroot's, so be sure to take a look at our offerings there.
These skinny trees are very versatile. Use a pair flanking either side of your front entryway. Define your property line with tight and narrow screening, and add as a wonderful backdrop for shrub borders.
This architectural plant makes such a wonderful statement in the landscape. Enjoy it! You can't go wrong with this selection.
#ProPlantTips for Care
Grow these trees in full sun or partially shaded conditions. They'll need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Moist, well-drained soil gives your tree the best growing conditions. Add a thick layer of mulch over the root system to keep it cool and moist.
Give it an even amount of moderate moisture on a regular basis. If you experience dry conditions, apply supplemental water and allow it to penetrate deeply to the extended root zone.
This slow-growing, interesting selection of Eastern Arborvitae stays narrow and requires little of your time. How nice to use a care-free native tree!
Order your Degroot's Spire Arborvitae from Nature Hills. You'll be thrilled with the extremely high quality of our plants.
Specifications
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Growth RateSlow
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, PR
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