Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: problem shrub and tree questions, 1 by michaelangelo

michaelangelo wrote:
I know nothing about shrubs or tree but I'm trying to help out an older couple who live in a house surrounded by quite a few shrubs and trees that look like they need some work.

I found a few articles on pruning shrubs but they make it sound like it may be too late in the season to prune. The shrubs they have are Wegelia, Hydrangias, (what I think is called) Wild Bush Rose (it definitely has sharp stickers), and one that I cannot identify. We're in Central Minnesota (Zone 3B) and Spring came late this year, in case that makes a difference. All of the shrubs are just beginning to get green buds.

In the first picture you can see that the Bush Rose has become very leggy because the (unidentified) shrub in front of it grew quickly and was never pruned back. Any suggestions about what to do? The Bush Rose did flower last summer but only at the top half. The bottom half is pretty much ugly branches, some of which look dead.

Does anyone know what the unidentified shrub might be. We do know what it gets dark red berries in the fall. There's a closeup of one of it's branches included here.

The Weglia has hardly any buds so far and actually looks kind of sick, although it bloomed very nicely early last summer.

TREES: They have a lot of tree on this property and can't really afford to a professional tree specialist. There are a couple of oak trees with severely split, half hanging, smaller lower branches. The main issue with them half-hanging is wind and safety. I'm not about to get involved with high ladders or chainsaws (no experience) but it does look like I could get rope around several of the damaged branches and pull them down. Will doing this damage the tree's health or cause other problems? Mother Nature is going to rip them off sooner or later anyway but i don;t want to add damage.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.