Some kind of juniper. The one on our far left also has another plant of some kind growing under it. I'd very likely-I'm holding back only because I'm not actually there-remove the lot of them and do something I really like. That could be anything from a different row of screening plants to a mixed shrub border to still more ideas. But the main point is they're not in good shape and there's not a lot that can remedy this. Likely-again, I'm not standing there-some fungal pathogen issues, possibly other factors, leading to thin crowns and not much screening action. You can have something a lot more effective and beautiful. As for the plants being too tall, that may in fact be the case, but there's nothing improper about needing and using tall-growing plants for screening-just depends on the situation and the lay of the land.

+oM

Agree with juniper, and there's nothing you can do to fix that.

The question is what to replace them with!

Clerickson actually did not address that in his OP. He was inquiring about the existing plants. I believe we've addressed that. And I also stated that there are myriad options for a different planting. Given the range of options, that's not how I usually spend my time on these boards. You could/should do this............No, do this..........Wait, what about this.................and on it goes!

+oM

they are ... what they are ... there is no changing them ... nor making them better... they are overly mature .....

you are probably right on the privacy idea... if you want to maintain that.. you might plant some things in front.. to get them going.. and remove these in a few years ...

if not ... then just be dont with the now ... if you dont need the space.. just cut them flush with the ground.. and they will be dead.. if you want to make sure.. apply a stump killer or undiluted round up or generic ...

usually this is a pool deal ... but i see chairs.. so its a patio deal??? .. if so ... and there is a budget.. your privacy might be better secured with a pergola or some such ... as i cant tell how big the yard is ... in regard to having large plants

ken

Looking at them, they actually are doing a good job of insuring privacy. The top blocks the neighbor's view to your house, the bottom of the view is blocked by the fence. Might look fine from the neighbor's house.

No, pruning them won't make them grow back their lower branches.

What USDA zone are you in? What part of the country? It's hard to know what to suggest without knowing what grows there. You could plant an evergreen, shade-loving shrub beneath and in front of them to block the bare lower parts. American holly, (Ilex opaca), some kind of rhododendron.