These trees are a really good price and we would like to buy about 20. In response to your question about the spruce, unfortunately, the gentleman was wrong about the trees growing new branches. Conifers often grow close together in nature. The bottom branches self-prune due to lack of light. This is exactly what is happening with the trees in this man's yard.
Deciduous trees have dormant buds along their branches and trunk.
Often if a tree that has grown in the shade is exposed to the light, branches will occur. However, conifers don't function in the same way. You see that difference between conifers and deciduous in another way as well. If you cut a deciduous tree off it will often sprout from the stump. Conifers will not do that.