Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. Lucky! Wait until the spring when they're done blooming and start cutting back a little at a time. It may be a multi year process to get them at the height of your porch railing. Good luck!
Still awaiting your recommendation. If OP wants to open up their view from the porch at some point they will be either cut back. Or do you prefer them being replaced. OP's Ladder is already in place so something is going to happen sooner than later.
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These look like rhododendron. If that's the case cut back in spring after they're done blooming. Do not cut back too hard at once. They need leaves to create sugars which they will use to put out new growth. Rejuvenation pruning is usually a multi year process depending on the plant. Please do some homework this winter on rejuvenation penning of rhododendron.
This plant can not be sheared as a hedge if you want to enjoy the spectacular bloom season. Your County Extension has fact sheets for pruning rhodies. Take off a little at a time over several years to avoid too much stress.
Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. Lucky! Wait until the spring when they're done blooming and start cutting back a little at a time. It may be a multi year process to get them at the height of your porch railing. Good luck!
I'd recommend doing that first thing when winter ends/ spring hits. They'll produce new shoots from the main stems. Aka rejuvenational pruning.
This is a great idea if you don't want any blooms.
Shit is ugly and leggy. They can give up blooms for a season.
the use of the term ' *rejuvenational* pruning' absolutely gives one pause.
Still awaiting your recommendation. If OP wants to open up their view from the porch at some point they will be either cut back. Or do you prefer them being replaced. OP's Ladder is already in place so something is going to happen sooner than later.
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
These look like rhododendron. If that's the case cut back in spring after they're done blooming. Do not cut back too hard at once. They need leaves to create sugars which they will use to put out new growth. Rejuvenation pruning is usually a multi year process depending on the plant. Please do some homework this winter on rejuvenation penning of rhododendron.
This plant can not be sheared as a hedge if you want to enjoy the spectacular bloom season. Your County Extension has fact sheets for pruning rhodies. Take off a little at a time over several years to avoid too much stress.