Any way to reduce girth of laburnum trees?

[Yongala35]

I have 2 laburnum trees forming an arch at entrance to drive.Not as grand as it sounds! I've lived in my suburban home for 30+ years. Trees planted in 1980. Over the years the girth of trees has increased to the extent that I can no longer safely get my very small car on/off drive. I want to know can if can I safely remove some bark/tree flesh (think ice cream scoop shape). I won't go around full circumference of tree.
I don't want to remove and replace trees for cost and aesthetic reasons.
Thanks.

I don't think I've ever seen that done to a tree.

Contact a tree surgeon as to what could be done but I don't think you can just cut into the trunk like that without killing the tree or causing an imbalance.

I think not.

Blimey, I doubt it! what alternative do you have other than to cut them down? What a shame but it was badly planned in the 1980s.

It’s hard for people to look far enough ahead when planting trees, I find. We have a few problem trees from the 80s too. Too close to the house, too much shade in a small area etc etc

If you take the bark off and scoop a bit out of the tree you will probably kill it. Either cut one or both down and replace them with something else or just live with the current situation .

Laburnum trees only live for about 50 years. Sounds like yours won’t have much longer. I’d bit the bullet and get a tree surgeon to cut them down.

You may find a local woodcarver would be interested in the wood

I think you should consider 'chopping in' your current car for one of these...

I'd say no, not really. They are very susceptible to getting canker if the bark is damaged.

If you handle the laburnum in any way, please wear gloves. All parts are extremely poisonous.

No, you would kill the trees. Might be better to try moving one - it might not survive, but it could do, and if cut it will definitely die. The roots will be as wide as the canopy so it isn’t an easy task but it can be done. Friend has done it with fruit trees and it worked.

Thanks for your advice. I am struggling to decide. Appears my idea of "ice cream scoop" to create a wider drive isn't a runner.
I welcome any more ideas.....I am contacting local tree surgeons and a tree consultant for pricing of removal. I expect protests from neighbours if I decide to remove trees. For sentimental reasons, I will replace them

Laburnum is poisonous if ingested. It isn’t a contact poison. The poison is most concentrated in the seeds.

@Yongala35 Have you considered removing one of the trees and leaving the other?