I was just visiting Chalk Hill's website for clematis and there was a tab called "clematis for North walls". I think there are about a dozen or so that would do ok. And your site may have more sun than a North wall anyway. Check them out. The only thing I would be concerned about is the competing tree roots from the maple. Maybe you could thin some of the lower branches to open up the tree canopy (not a bad idea anyway) if you are trying to grow anyhing else close by.

Well the Red Maple is on the neighbors side of the fence and I think there are no plans to have it cut back as it never has been in the past 15 years we have lived here. We do cut it back on our side of the fence best we can as our neighbor has no problems with us doing that..He just never thinks much of landscaping issues. Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look at Chalk Hill.