Might try something small like a Redbud.
There are several junipers commonly available that might be in the size you are looking for.

Japanese maple maybe. One of the billion arborvitae if you admit to yourself in a decade it will need to be removed. With the Japanese maple regular pruning could put off removal for a long time.

A pair of Emerald Green Arborvitae, perhaps? Paired to get that width and then some. But they won't be 10 feet tall for a long time.

For that matter, why 10 feet tall? Unless you're on the 2'nd floor, I'd think all they could see over the tops of 6 foot trees would be a glimpse of your ceiling.

Richard.

How about a fastigiate tree like Magnolia 'Golden Spire'?

how high is the window...

and how much sun ... hours??

below is my thuja occidentalis de groots spire ... insure you get a single leader plant... that is how it stays thin ... if you look close at mine.. you can see a second 4 foot leader.. i really should cut out ... its right behind the blue conifer ....

and nothing really stops growing at some magical height .... and once established.. they grow about a foot per year .... in full sun....

plant a couple, three or so ... if it is zone appropriate for you ....

ken

ps: for the short term.. i just bought a window film ... to apply to the window.. so you can get light.. w/o nosy neighbors.. mine is a theme on the famous wisteria glass .. was that tiffany??? search lowes.home depot for window films ...

{{gwi:211252}}

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I circled the window if this helps. I think the window is about 6-8' off the ground.

The red line is the PL and that area is often flooded when it rains heavily. :-(

That spot gets a bit of morning sun and late afternoon sun but is shaded for the most of the day...

{{gwi:380288}}

This post was edited by ttonk on Sun, Jun 2, 13 at 10:24

So I got recommendations on conifers:
Emerald Green Arborvitae
thuja occidentalis

And on deciduous trees:
Redbud
Japanese maple
Magnolia 'Golden Spire

All great suggestions!
Now I think more about this..
It's really not that neighbors are noisy or I'm concerned that someone will look into my window. It's a kitchen window so me washing dishes is not something anyone would be interested. I want to see the sky & some green but not feel like I'm watching my neighbors. You know when doing dishes, you're standing right in front of the window and looking out for a long time.

I used to have a huge arborvitae up against a 1st floor window in my previous house. Was great for the privacy but I felt as if the curtain is down all the time. I guess I want something more airy? My eyes are at the bottom half of the window. So if the tree only covers the bottom half of the window and the top half of the window is not blocked, it would be perfect. But I know trees don't stop growing at some height. :-)

Ken, what is that small and wide tree? Second from the right.
And what is that "blue conifer"?

can you download my pic and photoshop it..

the blue one is abies concolor 'compacta'

and the other .. i dont know which you mean ...

see link

ken

ps: most of what you suggest should NOT be planted over your a/c unit ..

Here is a link that might be useful: took me 10 mintues to apply it

Hummm...
Never thought about the AC unit. Glad I posted a pic..
Window film it is then. :-)

the other one is Picea pungen St Marys broom ...

ken

Thanks!

This is concerning -

"That spot gets a bit of morning sun and late afternoon sun but is shaded for the most of the day..."

Choosing a tree for a mostly shaded location is a different matter than for a sunny spot.

You know, a large bird feeder outside breaking your line-of-site between you & your neighbors might be nice.

Richard.