If you can put the privacy trees or a trellis near where you need to be shielded. Planting it up on the slope won't do much.

Podocarpus works well for screening. It will require pruning, Most people end up shearing as it is easiest. These days, you can get a hedge trimmer on pole which makes the job of trimming tall hedge easier ... unless you're paying someone else to trim.

I would agree about using the Podocarpus. It grows fast and tall, is tolerant of some pretty adverse conditions and is extremely amenable to pruning. Sounds like a great choice in this situation for privacy screening.

Podocarpus is a good choice. Lacey and practically litter free. It's not a super fast grower and won't require as much shearing as ficus or ligustrum.

I have used Giant Timber Bamboo (which is a non-invasive, contained type bamboo) from Monrovia nursery for a Backyard screen from neighbor's second floor large windows! Worked great. It is so pretty and since it is hardy for your region, I would check on it.

This was around 6-8 feet tall GTB in containers at start and quickly grew to around 30' high, so it gets high. No trimming needed except for a few branches, survived severe drought conditions and hard freezes. From Northwest China where climate is harsh. We are in Gulf Coast (inland) Southeast Texas, south of Houston about 25 miles.

If you are the owner of the CLF; remove it; the one item that lowers property values immensely. Grow a screen as suggested.

Oh decoenthusiate, I was going to ask, then I figured out CLF.

I love discussing anything to do with landscape, as I studied Landscape Architecture before I graduated with a degree in Interior Design.

I would suggest the following to be planted about two - four feet below your fence line for space to grow:

Hopseed (grows fast and tall, easy to trim if needed, but can grow without trimming.)

Photinia (beautiful red new foilage yearly, needs more trimming than Hopseed)

Bay Laurel (beautiful, but not super fast growing. Could start with bigger plants, but costly)

Wax Leaf Privet

If you're really creative, you could mix hopseed and laurel or privet.

Below is a client's pool, with a wax leaf privet we installed, and added bird of paradise and other plants. This has really given my client privacy from neighbors when they are enjoying their pool.

I hope this helps with your decision making process.

All the best to you!

Fence!