I need help with collected boxwoods

[Franklikestrees]

On my way home from work and saw a pile of landscape boxwoods by the side of the road. Looked to all be rather old, so I filled my jeep with them, then went back and got the rest. Some may not make it but I think most will. I have some (a lot) of questions as these are my first boxwoods.
-There is moss and resurrection ferns growing on some of the branches, I quite like the look, my question is will it harm the tree to leave it?
-Some of the leaves at the tips of the branches are turning red/yellow/orange, is that something to be concerned about?
-One seemed pretty unhealthy, one seemed just ok. And the rest all look like very healthy happy trees. (As far as I can tell which isn’t very far) Are they prone to rot or fungus/diseases?

Other than those specific questions I need to gain some more general knowledge about them and I plan to scour B Nut for all things boxwood, because I’m already in love with these plants, but if you have any other boxwood specific tips or advice I would really appreciate it.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

Several years ago I pulled a large boxwood off the sidewalk of a neighbor that pulled out the several remaining plants from a formal hedge. The plant was (is) a monster. I cut it back hard, planted it in some random potting soil and watched it sprout and grow over the next few years. It's so dense I cant even figure out what to do with it.
They are very hardy with respect to pruning and transplanting.
The leaf color you are seeing is likely the result of cold weather. Some species (sempervirens vs microphylla var japonica) and cultivars show it much more than others.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

The main thing to look for is boxwood blight, which is taking out a lot these days. For more info see

Boxwood Diseases & Insect Pests

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are adapted to a wide range of light conditions and prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil, which is amended with organic matter....

hgic.clemson.edu

 

[rockm]

All this depends on how long the plants were sitting out with exposed roots and how much fibrous roots they have. Forget about the resurrection fern etc. it isn’t going to harm any thing. Forget about boxwood blight for the moment

Worry about the root mass you have for each. Plant in porous soil not heavy topsoil. Soil must drain well. Boxwood hate soggy soil. Most have their root mass with the top six to eight inches of soil.

Keep the trees out of direct all day sun. Three or four hours of morning sun is fine. Keep the soil from drying out. Look for new growth (and possible death of a lot of the old) three months from now. Don’t be fooled to think the trees have “made it through” if you get new growth relatively soon. Older boxwood can push new growth for a couple of year through stored reserves.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

@rockm’s advice is good but I would add that depending on where they are and how dense, the moss and fern may interfere with backbudding.

 

[BrianBay9]

What Rockm said. I'd add, get rid of any that are obviously unhealthy. You've got plenty of others. No sense risking diseased plants in the mix.

 

[Franklikestrees]

Ok cool. Thanks for the responses guys.
Soil is 50/50 perlite and generic potting soil because that’s what I had. They’re in bright shade all day except one hour of direct morning light. And maybe an half hour as the sun sets. All but one had a lot of very dense, fine root balls, most still with original soil on a lot of the roots. May have only been sitting out a couple hours, could have been maximum of 6 from 10am to 3pm. Partly cloudy, cool, but breezy.
Good to know I shouldnt get my hopes up for a couple years.

Thank you for pointing that out about the moss and back budding. I may remove some, I’m sure it’ll grow back….

And thank you for the advice to remove the sick one. I have plenty now (if they make it). No reason to risk the whole bunch to try to save a doomed plant.