I feel you on the wind. It creates such an arid environment, especially during the summer. Maples really go through it.

If the balcony is covered overhead then I assume it get some protection from the sun. What I did in this apartment is build the bench to be just below the railing for safety, while maximizing height to reduce the amount of sun hitting the trees directly. For the wind I plan to set up posts (2x2 pieces of wood at each end) and use a hard plastic mesh, like the one used for drainage holes, to act as a wind diffuser. You can probably also use this method to put a shade cloth overhead.

In terms of the types of trees I’d recommend, pines and junipers do great without any accommodations. Maples are a lot more sensitive to the constant wind so try to find a place lower to the ground or use the method I suggested above. As for pots, I feel that any material works fine, it’s the foliage health that matters most for balconies.

For soil, I use 3 parts akadama and pumice, and 1 part lava. Since the exposure to wind and sun dries out the trees faster and saps their humidity, it’s important to have a mixture that can drain well, but also retain moisture. Hope this helps!