Look at some of the clumping (not running!) bamboos for your area. They can be a little messy but in my experience, the leaves are easily dealt with.

A screen enclosure might be a better idea. Bees are attracted to the water, not the plants.

Depending on your zone either palms or conifers- and not all conifers are "christmas tree shapes." There are numerous conifers in various shapes as well as colors- green, gold, blue, or variegated.

Please tell us where you live.

Sorry I forgot to include our location! Southern California, inland empire, zone 9. The area receives full sun from the West but our house is 2 stories so late in the day it will shade the tree area.

Thanks!

Screens will probably be your best bet. Bees are attracted to the water droplets on your deck and pool toys -- they need the water to keep the hive cool and the brood hydrated.

We don't want to do a screen around the pool. We want trees/shrubs to provide some privacy as we have neighbors on all sides (it's SoCal so houses are relatively close together; 8000 ft2 lots).

I would make suggestions, but the west coast is out of my plant knowledge base. The best thing I can suggest is go to some good local nurseries, not the big box stores, and go tree shopping. It's fun. Find something you like. Read the tags. Talk to the nursery people. Serious. You might enjoy it.

FWIW, pools attract honey bees as a source of water. Lei, how many bees floating in the pool a day?, maybe 4-8?

There aren't very many choices; ginkgos, conifers, and bamboo are all that I can think of. Palms do bloom and mine are very popular with honey bees. I see lots of bees hovering around my pond every morning In search of water as well.

ETA What about strategically placed shade sails?

We have a fruitless olive tree (I believe it’s a Swan Hill) that i don’t see bees attracted too. Currently building a pool and will be adding more to the pool yard since they are recommended by pools. Good luck

We like the fruitless olive tree but having trouble finding any. Did you get yours in SoCal?

Also considering the Carrotwood tree; any experiences?

I agree with the suggestion to talk to nurseries but each one and each person seems to give us different opinions!

We almost went with blue ice podocarpus but can't find any bigger than 4' to start and with their slow growth rate it will be 20 years before they provide any privacy.

There should be other podocarpus selections available that will grow much faster and it is a good choice I think for the space you described.

If you have any paving, Carrotwood and Podocarpus are both pavement lifters/busters. Podocarpus is one of my favorite trees, but they have massive root systems.

Italian Cypress, but planted strategically to screen your neighbor's windows, rather than as a "Fort Cupressus" hedge. No bees on those.

The Sunset Western Garden Book has a "What to Plant Near Swimming Pools" section. Every library in California usually has a copy if you don't want to buy one.

The fruitless olive still blooms, it just does not produce fruit. The flowers may still attract bees.

Swan Hill produces little to no pollen. I'm not sure what kind of nectar production it has.

Came across this post, when I was looking for answers to a similar problem - midcentury house, dog with bee sting anaphylaxis, Mediterranean climate ( Adelaide). The Frangipanni has no pollen or nectar.