Question
QUESTION: I am in search of a privacy tree/bush which will grow no more than 10 feet high and 6 to 7 feet wide.  I do not want it to shed or drop anything and it should be able to provide good water absorption.  The tree will be in sunlight and shade for equal parts of daylight hours.  I reside in zone 6.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello, Daniel;

Since you said, "able to provide good water absorbsion" I'll assume the area that you wish to plant in has poor drainage.

Here is a selector guide:  http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm

Punch in the zone ,height and characteristics you like, and out pops a plant selection.

You really didn't say what area it is for (under a window, in a front yard, at the edge of a road, etc.), so I can only give you generic selections:

Erianthus ravennae / ravenna grass
Lindera benzoin / spicebush
Pyracantha coccinea / firethorn
Thuja occidentalis 'nigra' / whitecedar or just Thuja  
Viburnum opulus / highbush cranberry
Viburnum sargentii / sargent viburnum

ALL of them drop stuff, sa do most plants of any kind.  Try it yourself and maybe you'll get a better result...For example, you can "hedge" all sorts of other types of plants that would otherwise grow bigger, or pick one that has other things you like (deciduous/evergreen, "neat", etc.) Then, click on the bottom window button and a list is generated.

If you turn off the option "wet soil", you'll get 10 more plants to chose from, like Korean lilac, Hibiscus, torulosa juniper, goat willow, artic willow, tanyosho pine, mugho pine, yew, European snowball, and the like.

A caution; not all plants listed are grown commercially in every area of the US - The list is based in Texas, so Texas plants are more represented on it.
Hope it helps. ~M

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The tree would be for a patio area and should provide some privacy.  The area has poor drainage, consequently the tree should have a good root system.  I do not want to pick up flowers or needles that drop from the tree.  I tried the selector guide and it yielded no suggestions.  Hopefully, this added information provides you with sufficient data to assist me.  Thank you again.  Daniel

Answer
Here are 2 evergreen, relatively 搉eat?plants to add to your list:

"Emerald" arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald') is a small tree or tall evergreen shrub, with its flat, long-lasting needles and dense growth-habit, just let this evergreen shrub grow into the tall privacy fence you need -- with little maintenance on your part. Narrow and upright in form, Emerald arborvitae attains a height of 15'-20', with a spread of 4'-6'.

Irish common juniper (Juniperus communis 'Stricta') is a favorite evergreen shrub for privacy screens. With a dense growth-habit and narrow, columnar form, they can stand together in a colonnade to form a loose border, walling out unwanted sights, sounds, and nosey neighbors. Irish juniper has a bluish-green color and grows to 10'-12' in height. These evergreen shrubs can grow so narrow in width as to resemble a column. Hardy to zone 3.

Even more columnar evergreens that might work:
http://www.conifer.com.au/narrow_conifers

Hardscape and softscape needn't be mutually exclusive, either.   Consider a wood or wood & wire trellis with vines (using plants like the evergreen winter creeper or deciduous trumpet & wisteria vines) or a climbing shrub (like a climbing rose).  You may even use some sort of trellis/planter combo (2 pictures, below)

http://www.deepstreamdesigns.com/Planters/Trellis-Option.htm
http://www.woodworkcity.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/privacy-screen.

Now if you absolutely abhor ANY leafy fluff & stuff on your patio, the world of silk flowers & plants has just exploded with creative and beautiful artificials.  Even I have trouble telling the difference from real & 揻ake?florals, and it is an option to consider.  Here are a few sources:

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/greenandfil.html
http://www.qualitysilks.com
http://www.hooksandlattice.com/artificialfl.html

Quality can vary greatly, so I wouldn't just fill my on-line cart without buying a few to start with.  I have used artificials in commercial applications, in areas that were it was too difficult to irrigate, or in such dense shade that NOTHING would grow there...Or in your case, no desire for leaf litter.  It comes at a price but may be worth it, if not having to 揷lean up?after them is a priority for you.

Hope I helped a bit more with your difficult design challenge.  ~M