By Cazoo1
Worcestershire,
United Kingdom 
Good Morning and a Happy New Year..So I have a friend who has had a huge building erected not far from the bottom of his garden. When the existing trees leaf,most of it will be obscured,but there is one devilish corner that will not!! He wants an evergreen that will not get more than 12 ft in height,something with a canopy rather than a column shape. Any suggestions as to what he could use,he would also like to buy an established tree,not wait 20 years for it to become 12 ft. Lets get together and help if we can. I have suggested a Japanese Cedar what do you think??
11 Jan, 2013
Answers
I know this may sound strange for the UK, and I'm not sure where your friend lives, but an olive tree might fit the bill. They are beautiful and, if well cared for until it is established properly, should be really quite hardy. We have very hard winters here and our two are still going strong and happy. It is going to take a long time to top 12 feet, and can be kept compact very easily, and, if you have enough money, they are available quite large.
11 Jan, 2013
Some Councils have a Tree Office and experts to give advice as trees can be a nuisance in years to come.
They tend to keep very quiet, as people try to save money by asking for expensive tree removal to offset their Council Tax. I did ask them the name of the trees in a road as they are very nice, and the answer came back email.
I would contact them email through the Customer Services address before paying for a tree at a GC.
12 Jan, 2013
are you after an evergreen shrub or tree? By evergreen do you mean conifer? there are lots of evergreen shrubs that will get to that height. Garrya, acuba, euonomus [can never spell this one] cotoneaster [some are trees rather than just shrubs] there is Yew and you can get an all green one or one that is called golden yew. this can be clipped into any shape you wish.
11 Jan, 2013