There was a period in Oklahoma City's gardening history when lots of gardeners were trying their best to grow Lombardy Poplars and/or Italian Cypress. Eventually they realized these two plants just were not suited to life on the southern Great Plains. Then, somewhere in the 1980's, nurserymen here were able to recommend an American Arborvitae named 'DeGroot's Spire'... and gardeners began to achieve success with an almost extremely fastigate plant.
'DeGroot's Spire' Arborvitae liked our alkaline soils and our summer sun and soon we were seeing these evergreen pillars all over the place.
'DeGroot's Spire' is a beautiful Arborvitae. It can reach 20-30 feet into the sky without getting much more than 4 feet across at the base. They have nice emerald green foliage... displayed as flattened sprays that never really need pruning. A grouping of several is an attractive sight. Rows of them are discouraged for the same reason I almost never recommend rows of anything. If one or two die... you have holes in your row that just don't belong there. So avoid rows and you'll never have row-holes.
Be aware of a few things about this plant. It does not like dry soils... the soil should drain well but retain moisture. A little protection from mid-afternoon summer sun is also desirable. And, if you can, locate it so it is not exposed to our drying summer winds.

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