Pine trees are the antithesis of so much organic activity that I just do not have any help for you. But you said thuja so there are some decorative variants. Are you thinking giant or emerald?

Since this is a specific question about species rather than design per se, you might get answers that better suit what you are looking for on the Conifers Forum.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/conif

Consider Norway spruce if you are willing to look at evergreen conifers beyond pines to consider healthy non-natives. Here in the photo center is mine, perhaps 30-40 years old. It is beautiful, trouble free, and weathers snow and ice without any damage.

In the background are native white pines/Pinus strobus, but even with 2 acres I wouldn't consider it a good yard tree since they tend to drop large limbs in ice storms or strong winds, and also drop pitch on cars, swing sets or anything over which they hang branches.

And they do not have the lignin necessary for the production of humic materials which is really crucial for the soil food web.

Thanks, I'll post in the conifer forum.

All I can recommend it NOT getting white pines. While they are pretty they have a habit of falling over lol, they also seem to be a favorite of gypsie moth caterpillars in my area, not sure if you’d have that problem though

The "this is the look I'm going for" picture shows firs (Abies) and not pines (Pinus).

I've noticed that often people seem to use the word 'pines' when they mean coniferous evergreens in general - usually actually referring to spruce or fir.... Why is that?

Picea Abies Virgata would make a nice fast growing unusual screen. You could also throw in a couple of Picea Abies Cranstoni Pendulas. and Nootkatensis.

Picea Abies Cranstoni Pendula

Picea Abies Virgata

Chamacyparis Nootkatensis Pendula