Bay Trees

They are not fast growing. They take 20 years or more to get to their full height of 15+ metres. I had one in my previous garden, and it grew even taller than that - but took over 30 years to do it!

I have a bay which has grown just above the height of my 6ft 6 fence after some 9 years - although admittedly a good half of that time was spent growing in a container and I clip it into a Christmas tree shape.

I do like bay trees but I don't think it's going to fit the bill of a fast growing plant for you. I am in the same position as you as I want some screening and I am trying Escallonia Crimson Spire, which I believe is supposed to be a reasonably fast growing evergreen shrub, but I've only just planted some this year. How high do you need the screen to be?

The fastest would be Eucalyptus gunnii, but you would have to be prepared to prune it regularly. Slower would be Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica), or possibly an Eleagnus. Both these have made good screens between myself and neighbours in about five years from small, they have had to be cut back vigorously.