By Bramhallbill
Cheshire,
United Kingdom 
As spring kicks in well established bushes & trees have no new growth on bottom branches. I presume I can cut deadwood now. Virginia Rose Bush & Sorbus vilmorinii are the main culprits
5 May, 2015
Answers
The Sorbus is at the bottom of our garden & we have false acacia too tall to measure on our boundary. That said its south facing & dry.
8 May, 2015
I remove dead wood whenever I spot it, doesn't really matter when. Have your plants been competing with other vegetation so that the lower parts have become shaded out?
Sorbus vilmorinii is usually grown as a standard tree with a clear trunk anyway.
5 May, 2015