Shade Gardening: I just can't find a shade tolerant shrub/tree for screening!, 1 by Noreaster

Noreaster wrote:
I hope it's ok to piggyback on this thread, because I am having a similar problem...not being able to find a suitable small tree or upright shrub for a mostly shady spot. Basically, I want to screen off our view of the neighbor's driveway, because in the summertime they seem to be constantly coming and going, which is making me a little nuts. The area is bright shade until about 1:30-2:00, at which time the sun passes thru a window in the tree canopy and it does get some dappled and direct sun for a few hours. The surrounding trees are tall pines, oaks, and a maple (which is probably outta here in the next five years). A client of mine gave me a Juniper she no longer wanted, which I planted a few years ago...it surprised me by doing fairly well in the location. I thought about getting a few more to make a more effective screen, but the problem is that I don't know the exact cultivar, so I don't want it to look odd if I get two more that don't match.

Doss, I was interested to see you mention birch, because I was considering River Birch....even though I know that likes sun. I was hoping it would do OK in my spot. I saw one at a local nursery that would give us instant privacy. I guess aside from the sun issue, I was concerned that it would get too big in the long term....because of the spread of the canopy, I figure I'd have to plant the trunk ten feet from the fence? That starts to really eat up the small yard, so I wonder if I need something with a smaller footprint. So I guess I'm looking for something tall (maybe ten feet?), but without a lot of fullness on the bottom. I have a garden bed off to the left and a big, full shrub nearby would start to look crowded and limit my ability to walk near the bed.


Hemlock would be a solution, but they are no longer recommended here in Maine due to the Wooly adelgid problem. (sp?) Also, I'm not sure how to keep the size of those down, either. I know they can get enormous. I guess what I am looking for is something that will be happy as an understory tree. And ideally be quick growing or at least readily available in a larger size from a local nursery.

I also have to rule out anything toxic to pets like Rhodies or Pieris, etc.

Help, I'm really stumped! Here is a pic..so that you can see the site where I currently have the donated Juniper....ignore everything else along the fence, which will be moving