We recently purchased a house in the Seattle area. Would like to put a fruit tree in the corner of the yard. The yard has a rather steep slope (3-4 feet over ~15 feet). Right at the top of the slope is a ~3 foot wide section where it levels off, and then hits our fence. This spot is in the full sun, pretty much all day long. The grass in this spot doesn't do to well, both due to the heat and I imagine lack of water as it drains down the slope. Looking for suggestions on fruit trees, that would do well in this specific spot. Prefer something like cherries, or possibly plums. Hope to avoide apples. Ideally, it would be self-sufficient, as in I don't need to water it... Any chance of something like that? Also, are there any major difference in the hardiness of specific types of trees in the same general species? Plum XXX vs. Plum XXY, and Dwarf XXX vs. regular XXX, etc?

I'm trying to decide if I should build a fence or plant some hedge between myself and the next-door rental. Much of my decision hinges on finding a suitable hedge plant. I've googled around and come up with Prunus laurocerasus, laurel bush. I live in Oregon and it seems to do well here. A fellow across the street has a huge one for a hedge, very thick. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good hedge plant? My one criteria is that it can thrive if pruned to be thin - that is, long, tall, but thin from my property to the neighbor's property. Three feet is about as thick as I can let it get. Thanks, NAT