Overgrown bushes?

Question

I have some really overgrown bushes which make it all but impossible to get into my new house. I think they are yews or maybe juniper, (has dusty blue berries) and one is another evergreen, but a brighter green.

They do cover some windows that would otherwise be very open to rest of the townhouse community. (the association won't clear them for me). So I don't want to lose them entirely, or not replace them if I have to get rid of them.

Can I trim them in Chicago in July? How much should I cut?

Should I just cut them out entirely?

I don't have very much money to spend, but I do want it to look nice and allow me to use my sidewalk.

Answer 1

You can cut them down completely. You can prune then really anytime. They are pretty tough and slow to grow.

Prune or cut them down - no worries

Answer 2

grab the tip of the most overgrown branch.  follow down to the main trunk, and prune it there.  repeat until it looks good

Answer 3

Dusty blue berries... sounds like the poisonous juniper berry.  Although overtrimming of a juniper will leave only the parts of the branch with sparse  amounts of needles (leaves) if you're careful the bush will be able to tough it out and survive, creating new growth in response.  Pruning them in July will be okay as long as they are sufficiently watered.  A good way to check the moisture content is to grab a few of those tiny needles (careful, they hurt) and try to bend them in half.  If they break, your junipers need more water.  If they bend without breaking they are obviously well enough watered and should be okay.