Theo...
a quick synopsis, please, of the types of conifers that you are referring to...particularly regarding deer predation and growth rates. I, too, am going to be planting conifers this coming year to develop a screen. I just conferred with the state wildlife biologist a couple of days ago, at the pondsite, about this exact subject. I told him that my research indicates that eastern white pine would be a quick growing native species for my soil and location. Both he and the NRCS agent replied similarly: the deer eat 'em like popcorn. That, and they don't do well in filtered sunlight (planned in an area of established hardwood that is to be thinned). They both recommended spruce. The deer are much less attracted to them and they will grow in filtered sunlight. The preferred, quick grower is Norway spruce.