If they are not bare trunks then you can be severe with the pruning. Do it to
about 2 feet les than the intended height. The top will grow back to that
height with soft growth that can be pruned.

We had the same problem with several much taler trees. They were cut down to
about 10 foot and all the branches removed. We used the trunks as the 'posts'
for a rose swag. 2 rows of rope. Very successful

Peter Bridge