I have some Portuguese Laurel that have grown to be 25 feet tall. I’d like to trim them back to about 6 feet but I don’t want to kill them. Can this be done? Is there a recommended pruning procedure and time of year? Thank you

Bruce, thanks for contacting Ask Extension with your question about Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica). It is in the rose family and is native to the mountainous forests of the Iberian Peninsula. "At maturity, 20 to 50 years, it will grow to 10 to 12 feet tall and wide. Your plant didn't read that part!

I'm starting with an article on general pruning.  Pruning (click on this, it should give you the site.)

Several articles say you can prune this plant severely, almost to the ground, though you may not want to cut it back that far. Start with removing any dead wood, then think some about future shape. It will easily grow back. 

Some shrubs that bloom after June (probably yours) do so on buds that are formed on current year's shoots. If you prune it to the extent you mention, you will lose flowering for next summer, and perhaps for the summer after. Most sites say prune in late spring or early summer, after the plant has finished flowering.

I hope this all helps.

Susan, Yamhill County Master Gardener