Arbutus: arbutus tree pruning

We need some guidance in pruning the die back on our arbutus trees. We hate to have to do this but since the trees look dead feel it is the only way to get rid of any disease.
How should we proceed?

 

Arbutus

Cut the dead brances off at the base. Often dyeback is caused by cankers and the sooner the brance is taken off the better. The canker grows around the branch, cutting off nutrient and water supply from the roots. If the back of the tree looks peeling (the inner bark, not just the normal peeling of Arbutus) and darker then it is indeed a canker problem.
We reccomend you call a cartified Arborist in your area and get them to look at your tree just to make sure.