Here is my experience: 1) Morning sun is more important than afternoon sun. 2) Full sun means a plant is getting direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. 8 hours is preferable in fruiting plants. 3) Partial sun means that a plant is getting at least dappled sunlight for at least 4 hours. Leafy greens seem to do fine in partial sun. 4) Partial shade means that a plant is getting perhaps 2 hours of sunlight per day....and the rest in indirect shade. Even hardy greens will grow slowly in partial shade. -If your plants are getting direct sun from the morning to the afternoon.....they should be fine. The most powerful sun seems to be from the rising east....perhaps that is why sunflowers always turn in that direction. -Hope my experience is helpful. -David Mason

I planted a Dawn Redwood 20 years ago in my backyard. Today it is 60 feet tall and last year produced hundreds of cones. I have about 100 seedlings that range in size from 1 inch to 12 inches in 5 months of growth. I had about 10% germination. I planted in several different soil conditions and different sun locations. I have concluded that full sun with daily watering is the most effective combination for growth. Seedlings growing directly next to each other have different growth rates. I have no significant browning of leaves in full sun. I will begin planting the strongest seedlings in the ground next year and continue pot growing the remaining until they have enough root structure to support them. My original tree (purchased as a 1 year old seedling) started slowly and then after about 5 years exploded with a 5 foot a year growth. It did not seed this year much to my disappointment. I think I have found the right combination of growth factors through trial and error. I am hoping to get another chance soon. For those who wish to grow only a few trees I suggest ordering seedlings from a grower. They will have the 1st year of growth out of the way and will be much more likely to survive.

Most important thing is not to do anything that your gut tells you not to do. #4 is completely out. What's more work? Rebuilding a retaining wall or replanting a fig tree and waiting a few years. For me, you want strong afternoon sun. As to the wind, keep it low and grow like a bush. This way you can trim it down at the end of fall to 3 ft and then throw leaves or insulation on it. You then close it up with plywood like a box. I plan on doing this when my trees get bigger and I plant them inground from pots. Between the insulation and geo-thermal heat, your tree should be fine. I have the same problem as you do in terms of location. I lose my whole front yard to a septic and leachfield. Almost a 1/3 acre so I plant all my lilacs and fruit trees along the perimeter. Full sun and open to wind. No problems the last year. Only damage was this year was from heaviness of snow. Plywood protects all that.

I think you might be confused about the terms "full sun" & "full shade" and the concept of direct sunlight. "Full sun" is an area that receives direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours per day. An area that receives direct sunlight starting in the afternoon, such as a Western exposure, should be planted with things that are for full sun. In addition to a columnar yew, there are upright, narrow junipers that would work in your situation.