clearing dead trees

[hillrunner]

I have been clearing several dead trees from my timber recently. I have been taking the main part of the trunk home for next years firewood. My question is if their are any notable pros or cons for leaving all the limbs and branches on the ground. Some of the bigger trees leave quite a bit behind. ty

 

[Central Iowa]

Leave those tops right where they are some great habitat for all kinds of critters.