Pruning woody roses

[annatateuk@yahoo.com]

Hi, I've just bought a house with a garden but am totally new to gardening! I have 6 foot tall rose bushes with some new shoots and leaves appearing near the top but thick woody stems about 2 inches in diameter at the bottom. What am I supposed to do with them? How low can I cut them back?
Thank you

[luis_pr]

This may be the normal size for that variety of rose. Do you know the name? You could do a light pruning to maintain the shape and leave it alone. If it is fixing to bloom, you could also enjoy the flowers and prune after the blooming period has drawn to a close.