Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Cotinus damage, weird spring- need advice!, 1 by Pfg

Pfg wrote:
Here's the tree now. Can I lop off all the branches to the low tufts of leaves so that the three main trunks form an arc? Or should I just prune out the deadwood and not worry too much about the shape until next spring :( ? Or something else?

I came into this very old garden five years ago, and have learned so much on DG as I try to reresurrect and renew it. I love this tree! Any comments and advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Pam