Instant privacy and shade is an umbrella or two.. From what I see it looks like bathroom or bedroom windows looking into your yard so really how much looking is going to be done from the neighbors . I think privacy is over rated and honestly if you wanted it so badly should have bought acreage. If you post a pic of the whole yard that might be helpful. Did you put in that fence ? That needs to be addressed before it all falls down

fast-growing to 20-25',

==>>> thats a unicorn.. anything fast to that height.. will be even faster to 40 to 50 feet ...

trees have an annual growth rate ... and the larger that number the faster they claim to be ...

BUT... trees dont stop growing at some magical height ...

imo.. this is the only fast solution to the window issue ... very simple to install with soapy water and a squeegee ... or a large sponge ... nbd ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=window+films&t=ffab&iax=images&ia=images

and of course.. drapes or blinds ...

also.... since we have the tree conundrum ... perhaps a shrub in tree form.. will give you the limited height you wish ...

z5 is minimum winter temps on the worst day of winter ... and its about half the US.. very divergent.. give us a big city name ... for best plant suggestions ...

once you solve the window issues in a non horticultural manner.. then all the plants you mention would be viable choices ...

august is not planting time for most of us ... unless done by professionals who guarantee success ... see link below and focus on section 1 ... and to be clear .. you can get stock.. or tag stock now.. and hold it over until planting time .. or delivery then ... also study the section on planting in native soil ... if you think there are drainage issues.. perk you soil ... and then its easy to deal with ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=perk+garden+soil&t=ffab&iax=videos&ia=videos

also understand .. huge transplants give somewhat instant gratification ... but take years to settle in and start growing to expectation ... it is often suggested.. that smaller .. read that cheaper specimens ... get established faster ... and in a given 5 year span.. outgrow the larger plants ...

and do take the time to walk around a plant a number of times.. and look at the structure ... it is what it is.. dont go buying a crappy tree.. and then come ask us.. how to make it a good looking tree.. unless you are willing to put the years into pruning it back into shape .. which isnt hard to do ... just avoid the issue of you can..

that said.. if you can get an ugly one on the cheap... we can help you fix it up.. over the years ...

good luck ... and dont forget.. there is no instant gratification thru plants ... so fix your windows ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Rachel - my understanding of your situation is that you want / need the privacy when you’re in your yard. There’s not a privacy issue inside your house so fixing windows isn’t the answer. Otherwise, I agree with Ken about the Unicorn! And, you’ve already said you’re repairng the fence that was damaged when tree taken out. I think the issue with planting a shade tree is that unless you plant it too close to the house as the one you took out was, its future canopy will be extending into your neighbor’s yard which they’ll be free to whack off when it’s too much. And you’ll be sharing your leaf drop in fall with them. Not conducive to good neighbor relations. instead I would look at either trees or evergreens with a taller narrow form (fastigate). These can be planted fairly close to the fence & will provide the privacy you want. Looks like your house shades the patio but if you need more then that umbrella is the answer! My suggestion is to invest in a landscape design consultant. Will be a little $$$ well spent to get knowledgeable local advice & suggestions.

If your 20-25 feet is a minimum with no maximum there are many narrow conifers that would work…although maybe not fast growing.

tj

My recommendation is to look at native trees and shrubbery to your area. There will be online nurseries and brick and mortar nurseries that deal with native plants and trees. I only buy native ones from my area. They are hardy and will do well in very cold and snowy winters that I am familiar with.

Take a look at Halesia (silverbell) and Rutgers dogwoods.

Crab apple? A ways from the fence might fit in that space.

If you're concerned about the neighbors' side, talk to them. They're probably uncomfortable with the new exposure as well. Tell them you'll be replacing the tree and ask if they have a preference. (Give them choices of your favorites if you do that. Don't ask an open ended question!) Judging by their backyard, they don't mind trees.

I assume this isn't a new neighborhood where nobody knows each other--those houses look 120 years old. :P

I too was going to suggest a Halesia.

Let me understand, you are looking to block your neighbors view into your yard. I understand wanting that privacy, what I never seem to understand is why people worry about sooooo much about neighbors seeing into their yards. IMO like ken said, more acreage would have solved the problem. But, that said a couple of umbrellas as kw suggests. Or, how about a gazebo or perogla that would provide shade amd privacy, especially if planted with flowering vine or drapery.. You would want to orient it so the neighbors windows would be blocked.

debra

Yes. You just need more acreage. I hope the neighbors don't mind when you raze their home!

Thanks everyone, for the helpful input and perspectives! I really appreciate your taking the time.

More acreage would be awesome! I like the idea of vaporizing the next door neighbors' houses on both sides and having a nice wide lot. :) Alas.... there are pros and cons to living in town, and this small lot is the one I have to work with. Off now to consider all this advice and the ideas I got yesterday at a nearby nursery, continue with my research, and try to figure out how to get things onto the proper plane in Sketchup.

Very grateful for your comments and collective wisdom.

One more: I like how they filled in the space under the arbor with hanging plants to add to the privacy and allow some shade plants to be grown there.

@Rachel - kudos to you for being so good natured about the comments on privacy & buying acreage instead if you want privacy. As though that’s a realistic option!,🙄 It is a good thing though to hear all the input which does open one’s mind to creative solutions. I hope you’ll come back here with an update on what solution you implement. It’s always fun to see how the story ends.

@Olychick thanks for the arbor images... helpful idea to throw into the mix!

I totally think an arbor would work. I think that’s what I was trying to convey, but couldn’t come up with right word. Kudos to Olychick!

debra

this otta do it..lol

debra, for some reason your post was not showing for me when I posted the arbor suggestion pics, or I would have referenced that you had already suggest it!

Your garden is really wonderful, with all that stonework out back! I garden in Southern Maine, which is the cold part of Zone 5, and have spent 20 years trying to avoid looking at the neighbors. A garden is supposed to provide a sense of enclosure! With afternoon shade, a dogwood should be fine…I have a Korean dogwood, Cornus kousa, which blooms a month later than the native dogwood, Cornus florida. It is also not affected by spot anthracnose, which can plague Cornus florida varietals. There are some unicorn evergreens out there, but they do tend to be pricey. I would suggest a dwarf Korean fir varietal called Silberlocke….it is the tall one in the first picture, and there is a group of three in the second picture. That’s fifteen years of growth that you see. Wisteria on a VERY sturdy arbor could also be beautiful.

Zone five/six here in Nova Scotia. Trees are slow growing. Service berry is a nice choice, long term. Fast growing (I have the native ones) lovely in spring, shade tolerant.

Short term…pergola for sure. Wisteria can be iffy…get advice from local gardeners groups to see if it is successful in your area.

There are some great tough climbers out there. Climbing hydrangea is slow to establish so buy the biggest plant you can but is very dense lovely and shade tolerant. I have it on the north side and every two years I have to drag it off the second story. Lol. Once it gets going it’s fabulous. Clings with sucker roots so don’t put it on masonry or stone. A fold down trellis or support is a good idea for structure maintenance.

olychick, no problem! Ihave noticed problems with some of my posts not showing up in a timely manner.

debra

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is a wonderful small tree, but it won't get tall enough for what you say you want.