Best Way To Prune Redtips?

Q: I have inherited a yard with thirty-foot-high redtips that tower over the driveway. I would like to prune them back so they grow into a short bush. What is the best way to do this?

A: Generally speaking, if you have a healthy redtip photinia shrub it will survive severe pruning. However, yours are so old that there may not be many dormant buds still available growing low on the stump, which means resprouting might be weak. Even if they do regrow, you will constantly have to prune to keep them at the lower height. It will initially be a lot of work, but I recommend you pull out the redtip shrubs and replace with an evergreen like loropetalum or camellia, which have mature sizes more in line with what you want.