With paper scissors.

I think they look very nice the way they are ;-)

Resin

i sorta agree with resin ....

either enjoy them for what they are ....

or think about getting rid of them ...

when they were babes. they were not sited properly versus their ultimate size ....

though it is possible to beat them back with a stick .... you could make a much better statement with new and improved choices for your landscape ...

ken

"How do I trim these"?

You don't. Way over grown for the area. They have out lived their usefulness and will only continue to get bigger.

These two Mugo Pines are arboretum size material.

Replace them with something that will give better balance to your landscape.

Dave

I guess they could have been "bonzaied" when they were smaller, but its too late now.....

They look fantastic -- healthy, happy, mature. I hope my babies thrive like that. I would never ever cut down something so healthy and beautiful.

The one ate a traffic sign... I say yank them out and either replace then with little ones and watch them grow again or pick another plant for some variety.

If you're not in the position to take them out, my practical, albeit amateur, advice would be to get ladder, a good pair of pruners and cut the candles. (Don't cut beyond the candles.) Won't reduce the current size, but will keep them from expanding. Even though infortunately positioned, they are nice.

I'm fond of Mugos and pass by several in my neighborhood that are the size of small planets - literally covering entire yards. Mine are 35+ years old and each late spring I do a ritual candle cutting. They've stayed remarkably tidy and well in bounds. Don't know the variety, but most likely something dwarf(er) to begin with.

The 'candles' are the new growth this spring from the buds, before the new needles expand.

Resin