Hi Eric,

You mentioning wanting 'green giant' but it gets too wide. Green giant is actually thuja plicata 'green giant' but how about a variety of thuja occidentalis?

Perhaps thuja occidentalis 'brandon' (brandon cedar). They grow to about 15 feet high (taller with age) and perhaps 4 feet wide. The brandon variety is extremely winter resistant even here in zone 3 but you might also want to check out other types such as 'rushmore', 'smargd', 'pyramidalis', etc. Just search on the internet for "thuja occidentalis brandon", "thuja occidentalis smargd", etc. 'brandon' and 'pyramidalis' are fairly quick growing, as far as cedars grow, but unfortunately you are still looking at maybe a foot in height per year.

Anything that is quicker growing than that, say 3 feet per year, probably wouldn't stop at just 15 feet high.

They would do well in part shade. They would have to be watered regularly until established (no different than any tree or shrub) but are somewhat drought tolerant once established.

Glen

I'm also interested in a quick growing "privacy wall". I read recently in Canadian Gardening that Olive trees, Elaeagnus angustifolia, grow quickly in zone3 and in about any type of soil. Interesting silver leaves trees also good for birds.

Glen, Thank you for the great response!
Eric

I imagine that would look good too Tranquilight, though my assumption is that if Russian olive is used as a hedge, they would have to be trimmed regular as they are not naturally tall and narrow.

They definitely are hardy.

Glen

Eldeberry shrubs - fruit edible (we make jelly and wine) birds love it, partial shade ok, just put down mulch around the roots for winter - your inconsiderate neighbours will get purple dye in their hot tub whent birds drop their berries in their tub.

I recommend the tall narrow cedar hedging. It's dense evergreen and doesn't get wider than 18 inches or a little more but will reach 15ft. Mine are now about 13 ft and grow about a foot a year. I don't know how tall they can get but they take well to trimming.
Regards Steph
yesright@Hotmail.com