Hello Bradley,

Thank you for contacting the As Ext site.  It is hard to tell from a distance what type of tree this is, it could be some sort of cedar or juniper, but the leaves are a bit far away in the photo to tell you with certainty.  Yes, if you can bring in a leaf sample, we can try to use our plant key to try to identify it.  

Regards,

Marion C. 

Master Gardener

Hello Bradley,

I am following up per our phone conversation. Since your goal is to identify this plant down to the cultivar, we will not be able to do that in the office. These shrubs are in the Cupressaceae (Cypress) family, likely in the Juniperus genus (including junipers and cedars). Many people seek out the creeping forms and cultivars that can form a privacy hedge, which has likely contributed to the challenge you've had with finding a tree-like form in garden centers. Additionally, junipers can be very flammable in the landscape due to their oil and pitch content, leading many people to remove them or consider alternatives for the landscapes surrounding their home. 

These junipers in your photos are very mature and with time and training you could cultivate your junipers to have a single or codominant trunk. Avoid junipers that are labeled as "mat" or "creeping." Many of our native junipers Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), Oneseed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma), or Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) have a tree form, but finding them at nurseries or garden centers can be a challenge. The junipers in your photo are more likely a cultivar of Juniperus chinensis which are more commonly available at nurseries and garden centers. Look for labeling for upright or tree forms to get the effect you are after. It will take time for the tree to look like the tree in your photos. 

Let us know if you have additional questions. 

Happy gardening,

Allisa Linfield
Horticulture Coordinator
CSU Extension El Paso County