Maybe. How long have you had them and any chance of some pix?

tj

I am un-familiar with the zelkova trees, however I looked it up on google. To me it looks like it should be treated like any other tree: If you can not ride your lawn mower under a branch, cut it off. HOWEVER this depends on the age of the tree and the length of time since it was planted.

pruning is based on having a goal....

if your goal is to have a clean straight truck; to a certain height.. then prune them off PROPERLY ...

if your goal is to leave them.. then do so...

i prune all my trees up to about 8 feet.. do i can mow on the garden tractor under them.. with no dear of poking my eyes out..

general pruning rules dont vary per type of tree ..

a pic or two.. will get you more precise answers.. but i doubt the answer will change..

ken

ps: do not leave pruning stubs...

Unless you develop a reason not to with zelcovas yes, prune, has to be the more common answer.

Grasping straws for the purpose of a debate I will say I leave lower branches on longer than most as a defence against deer girdling my young trees.

There are sound botanical reasons for leaving lower branches in place on young trees......for a period of time. They actually help with establishment and trunk and root system development. I read somewhere that you can start limbing up somewhere around the 5 year mark but I cannot lay my hands on that source today.

"general pruning rules dont vary per type of tree .." That's not at all true but that is another topic of discussion :-)

Zelcovas by their nature are many-branched down low. Floral's is a fine example. Here's more.

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=Zelcova+tree&atb=v252-1&iax=images&ia=images