An alternative to bushes/trees for wind disruptors might be a lineup of totem poles or cigar store Indians on the side that needs some wind break. Lin likes gargoyles (150 lb cast iron and larger).

One rather odd neighbor some years ago put a "dog run" and a couple of small doghouses next to a fence for wind control, but never had a dog. It seemed to work, sort of. We think he was considering a few mini pigs but found out they were illegal with our zoning. We were just glad he didn't resort to chickens.

LiK would plant "old roses" (hardier than most of the new varieties, and available in a variaty of growth types/shapes). They're about the only thing she's planted that she hasn't killed in a single season, but of course YMMV.

We had a wisteria at one house, that we found rather "invasive." (Shoots springing up from roots 150 ft from the "tree.") The plant did appear to be 30 or 40 years old, so the problem might not appear for a while with a new planting.

Euonymous (some varieties) looks like a good choice here but some varieties also can spread invasively from the roots. Other varieties seem better behaved. Normal attention to pruning was okay for the Euonymous, but dynamite would have been needed to control the old Wisteria.

Your plant choices would of course need to be suited to your climate, and sometimes to the local soil types, but picking the right stuff is part of the fun if you decide you like the idea.

John