I found your pruning analogy very interesting, but honestly feel it's too late. I believe the reason for all the dead branches is an infestation that is so pervasive that it will eventually kill all the trees.If we don't do something now we will loose the whole forest. My feeling is that we set the the whole forest on fire; burn them all down without discrimination, Oak, Maple, Elm or Pine. They have been there too long and many are so rotten to the core they have no chance of growth.
Now al
l we have to do is replant to our specifications, only planting trees that are able to flourish in the light of day!*********************************
Good point of view, and a forest fire is just what might happen if things don't shape up!