I'm in central Pa and I need to put in a privacy hedge. The area where it will be planted is shaley, poor soil, very wet in the spring and when there is heavy rain. The plants that volunteer in that area are poplar, sumac, teasal, and something like Virginia creeper.
Ideally I'd like to find something that would be dense,(impassable), and reach a height of 10-12 feet fairly quickly. Either deciduous or evergreen would be fine. I have to admit I'm not sure of the zone here, but you can just barely grow peaches.
I've tried a few things, willows grow well, but get out of control, russian elm doesn't work. Any ideas would be helpful. Thank you.

As i'm not even in the same hemisphere as you i can't suggest species, but in a similar circumstance i went for a drive around the area to see what was here in similar conditions. There are boggy areas everywhere in nature, even in deserts, and the things that grow best in these areas are the things that grow well naturally in those types of places. So my suggestion is to go for a drive, have a look at the low areas in your region and find out what plants are doing well that fit the criteria you're looking for. Here i found a few melaleucas were the answer. I planted them. Watered once and walked away. They're over a metre high now and have a great red flower. No hassle. No chance of them becoming a weed or getting out of control and i know they'll do well because i'm working with nature as my ally.

willow trees live in wet poor soil too. The weeping ones would give some privacy. they are easy started. Just clip some cuttings from a grown tree and use some root toner and stick in the ground. they will grow enough in about 3 years to start the weeping.

other than that caster bean is the only other thing I can think of that grows fast and they re seed. They are posionus though, if you have small kids might not want to plant those.

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I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once.
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