I just moved to Ea. Tx. and there's a plum tree (variety unknown at this time) that was covered in creeping charlie. All but the main branch/limb appear to be dead. It was producing a little fruit mid-spring. I killed the ivy and I'm not sure what to do about the 2 large dead branches. Should I wait to cut them in case they're not dead, just bald from the ivy? Any suggestions appreciated.

In the Cross Timbers, I often find Post Oaks and Black Jacks completely covered in green briar up to 20-30 feet sometimes. Once pulled from the tree, it does better, typically. That being said, I often wonder if nature takes care of itself via this process because you'd think that only the weak ones would be defeated.