What would you do with this tree? Can I trim it and maybe cut some off the bottom? I don't like that it blocks the entire house.

I would not do anything with it, it is gorgeous and gives alot of privacy, it is probably blocking alot of wind and noise too. The other three shrubs on the left side in the photo, I'd take those out. They look crammed up and too close to the garage.

It can be trimmed up but that is easier said than done.
To make it look good is not always simple. An old tree can turn into a not fixable nightmare; you will let in more noise and be subjected to winds you did not realize existed.
I have know persons that trimmed large back-yard trees in a nice quite, wind and noise, back yard and suddenly not so quiet and they find table and chairs being blown over etc.

To make that one look decent due to the open spot on left side you would have to take it up at least ten to twelve feet or it will look weird at best.

I would leave it as its.

Warm welcome Marine! You could limb up the lower branches if you want to walk under it and open up your yard a bit. Keep in mind, though, that the area directly under the tree will be difficult to grow and may end up a big bare circle. You could fill that in with a permeable mulch and perhaps a bench and a couple of containers with plants that do well in shade. I would approach this gingerly - cut off the bottom layer of branches and see how you like it, then slowly cut further up until you get the look you want.

Thanks for the ideas. I might see what a tree trimming service thinks. I agree with removing the small ones on the left since they are blocking my driveway. I think at a minimum I'd like to limb it up some. There is brick around ether tree now so at one time it must have been limbed up some.

I would take out the other shrubs first, then wait a month or so and see how you like it before cutting on the other. Remember-you can always cut it off-but you can't put it back! It took a lot of years to grow that, and if it is botched up it will take a LONG time to grow and fill in. If it were me, I'd have more than one tree service come out, and see what they say. You may be surprised how different their ideas may be. It should not cost you anything to have them look.

Marinemail05 said:Thanks for the ideas. I might see what a tree trimming service thinks. I agree with removing the small ones on the left since they are blocking my driveway. I think at a minimum I'd like to limb it up some. There is brick around ether tree now so at one time it must have been limbed up some.

It is an evergreen tree , if limbs are removed, trimmed, they never come back unlike deciduous trees. Once a gap is made it is permanent.
I used to do this as part of landscaping and some people think if you just do this, that or that, and insist then get all pissy when it looks as bad as you told them it would.

If there are bricks on the ground,they were put there when the tree was small.
What does the other side look like?

You might also check if there is a local arborist in your area, perhaps at a university?