(add on what you think of here)

Reasons I like Arbor Vitea shrubs/trees for a windbreak, privacy screen, or just plain hedgerow -

1) They can stand as low as -30 degree temperatures.
2) They stay green all year round
3) They don't drop leaves or seed pods all over, the little bit they do let fall drops inside the foliage and falls along the trunk leaving a nice tight mulch pile right under them.
4) Whatever it says on the tag hanging on them when you buy them is exactly what the maximum size of the shrub will be. You don't have to trim them, you always know right from the start how tall and how wide they will be. They stay like that.
5) They come in all shapes and sizes.

In other words: They are totally maintenance free once you pick out just the right ones, and they look nice all year.

Cypress trees are another good choice IMO
http://www.arborday.org/trees/treegu...ail.cfm?ID=126