I live in northern Colorado along the front range. I am trying to find a tall columnar tree or tall bush that could be happy against our fence to help shield the view of the neighbor's house and satelite dish! I planted an arborvitae 5 years ago, but as you can see it has not been happy. Probably too little sun? Even though you can see a huge arborvitae just on the other side of the fence that is happy. We have a dry climate but I can hand water when needed. Any ideas on a good screen tree or bush in a skinny spot that would be happy in that much shade? It is a south facing spot that is mostly shielded from the sun by our house, probably just a few hours sun per day. Please see photos.
Thanks for any advice!

I haven't been out your way in decades... So don't remember too much that lives in that climate....

I can only suggest trying plants that grow in Colorado.
Something like ponderosa pine or pinion pine...

Or larch or something.

I'm afraid that the exact growth habit is going to have to come behind finding anything that will grow!

Thanks for the ideas. I'm thinking about trying a hicks yew or similar columnar evergreen. But yes something that grows well in Colorado! Thanks again

I know that yew is one of the few shrubs that will grow in full shade here. I don't know how they grow in Colorado. There are columnar cultivars.

Both cedar and spruce are shade tolerant. I believe there are some columnar forms of each. I agree that yew might be another choice.

Interesting post and interesting idea.