Invitation to Dig Japanese Black Pine

[Watto]

I hope the title is not confusing, it was not an invitation to everyone, just to me. There is a conifer garden in town and occasionally I get asked if I would like to dig something out, and it is usually that it is overcrowded or in the wrong place, or this time the garden was to be re-developed. I had to have them out before the Easter break as that was when to new work was to be done, so last weekend off I went, shovel in hand. According to the owner these trees had been there for about 20 years but were being shadowed by other plants, so I was very excited.
I had in mind a tree a little overgrown but ready for bonsai.

[Watto]

Anyway once I was committed I had to take them no matter what, so here are the results. They were growing under other conifers and were struggling to get sufficient light, and fertilizer I think. On top of that the soil was very dry (it hasn't rained properly in this area this year) and it was difficult to swing any real tools in the area. I hope that doesn't sound like a whinge, and I had to remove a juniper chinensis just to get to them.
Anyway here are the photos. I hope they survive as I am not sure if this is a good time to dig pine, but I noticed that Grant is re-potting JBP now so it must be OK? As you can see in the photos they are all growing in one direction - towards the sun.

[bodhidharma]

I reckon they will explode now they have been liberated Watto. No 2 has real potential.

[Watto]

Thanks Bodhi, my first real goal is to ensure they survive and worry about styling in a year or two.