pruning larches

does anyone know how to prune larches we have 3 lovely larches in our garden but they've got really tall and quite spindly. I wondered if we trimmed the side branches if it would encourage more bushy growth. also could we take the top off to limit the height. they must be about 40ft tall. any information would be greatly appreciated

I'm sorry, I don't think larches take kindly to pruning - there are some in the grounds where I work that have been cut back and they look awful, losing all the grace and elegance of their form.  I think a larch tree that had it's leading shoot topped would also look awful - larches have such a lovely symmetrical 'feather' shape.  

Dead or decaying branches should be taken out in the summer, cutting them off close to the main trunk, but apart from that usual practice is to leave them alone.

I agree, it's very easy to destroy the shape. I think that applies to most conifers. 

And I third that - conifers really should be left alone. A neighbour decided to prune some of theirs, and they looked so dreadful that they got rid of them entirely a couple of years later.

Did you see on Country File that Larches are also in trouble. They have had to fell a lot of them in the Forest of Dean. Makes you wonder what will be next.

thanks for all your comments, really don't know what to do now though because our neighbours are complaining the trees are blocking their light. They don't interfere with us as they're at the far end of a very large garden but don't like the neighbours being upset