Where to even begin on large nursery stock?

[Pygo]

I just picked up these two trees for $20 at a new nursery(my new favorite place!). I still have relatively little experience, especially with large nursery stock and I’m a little overwhelmed lol.

The juniper has multiple, fat trunks, but it looks like they’re in a good position to be cut back without looking hideous. I’m not sure if it would be worth air layering the top. The canopy is nice and full so I sort of feel bad wasting it lol.

The cypress(I’m pretty sure it’s a cypress) has a twin trunk and I might end up keeping it that way, depending how I feel when I really dig in for a closer look.

I’m relatively confident I could turn these both into *something*. But I would appreciate some advice as far as what order to tackle each step(ie chop, then thin and wire branches. Wire first, then chop?)

These also came with no labels, so I’m not sure what varieties they are exactly. So advice on what style(s) these trees lend themselves to/style suggestions would be appreciated as well

 

[PowerTap]

The best place to start is to spend some time with them. Turn them around, tilt them side to side. Maybe lift them out of their cans and assess what the roots look like.

You are in mid-late summer so it's not the best time to make any dramatic changes. Keep them watered, figure out what they need for care.

Eventually you'll need to dig down on the soil and start to find the surface roots and best front, then a good potting angle. Other decisions will follow from there but no need to rush.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I personally would start by removing all the stuff you for sure won’t use such as crossing branches, too many branches from one point ect. After you do that you can see better what the trees best style would be.

 

[River's Edge]

The juniper appears to be a procumbens. it is best suited to lower styles such as cascade type styling. the natural growth habit is along the ground unless propped up as you purchased it. The Cypress could be any number of cultivars and is more suited to upright styling!
As mentioned above what you do should be influenced by the time of year-end the condition of the plants.
At this point you have no idea of the rootball condition , nor the nebari on the trees.
I would keep the tree healthy and learn how to care for them. Then work towards repotting them in the late winter early spring. This will give you the opportunity to figure out what you have to work with. I would not remove any healthy foliage at this time. You will want it to help the trees recover from repotting in the spring.
One thing you can do is remove dead foliage and branching. That will help the trees over the winter remain healthier and less prone to insects and pathogens.

 

[Pygo]

The best place to start is to spend some time with them. Turn them around, tilt them side to side. Maybe lift them out of their cans and assess what the roots look like.

You are in mid-late summer so it's not the best time to make any dramatic changes. Keep them watered, figure out what they need for care.

Eventually you'll need to dig down on the soil and start to find the surface roots and best front, then a good potting angle. Other decisions will follow from there but no need to rush.

From what I've read online, it seems like initial styling can be done more or less whenever, no? Some say early spring is best, but others say fall is good so it has time to recover and the spring flush won't be delayed by the shock. I also live in a very mild climate, so I don't have to worry about a winter freeze. But, I'll definitely be waiting until spring to repot.

I ended up doing some pretty heavy handed styling on these two. If they survive the coming weeks/months, then I'll be overjoyed. If they do end up dying, it'll be a relatively cheap learning experience, both in care and in style

I appreciate the tips though

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I have the same mindset when it comes to nursery material. Swing for the fences if it dies you have more knowledge.