There probably are not an ideal screens to use. I've seen ficus nitida planted as a screen. It looked great and provided a dense screen. The only downside is you would have to trim it to keep it from getting wide (if you don't want it to get wide). Sour orange is another evergreen often used as a screen. I've seen a lot of trees planted right next to fences that did not damage the fence, so I don't necessarily agree with your landscaper. However, if you do this you may want to use something cleaner like ficus, sissoo or tipu. Mesquites and polo verdes would be a nightmare with the pool (I've heard bamboo is bad too)If you don't mind a deciduous tree fan tex ash and chinese elm provide fast shade and only make a mess once a year. Good luck, Paul.

Wow,

your situation is almost identical to mine. I did a lot research and got the same 'no trees' response about being near the cinder block wall. that being said, a friend of mine has sissoos planted his wall (about 3 years old) and no problems so far. Sissoo is very clean, fast growing and nice looking as trees go.I WOULD NOT PLANT A FICUS if someone paid me to do it. I have a lot of experience with them and just spent a fortune to have them removed from the old house. If you have walls or anything remotely related to your sewer/spectic system anywhere near the area - no ficus.

I had put Hibiscus along one wall last year and they look incredible and are doing excellent, even in our heat (i feed and water a lot). I'm thinking to do them in a raised bed along my back wall. for your use I think some nice Sisoo would look great.

How about dwarf citrus? Or pindo palms? Both are fairly neat and I've seen many, many of them right up against block walls. Both of them are great for giving you privacy at fence level.

I agree with staying away from ficus. They drop leaves like crazy, have invasive roots, and just about every one in my neighborhood still looks half dead, or actually is dead, after last winter.

I did see an HGTV landscaping show where they were planting bamboo in someones backyard, but instead of digging up half the yard to bury the bamboo barriers, they just dug a hole, put a five gallon bucket 3/4 of the way down and planted the bamboo in the the bucket. Then of course covered the botton with rocks to make it look nice. I imagine if you wanted to butt right up against the wall with bamboo and not have it get out of control, this might work for you. I think you have to make sure that it's not sending out new feet outside the bucket every once in a while, but if you like bamboo, it might be worth it. :)