Pruning is not an option for mature trees that are suffering from chronic urban blight. The asphalt covers their roots on one side and looks like a pasture field which means the soil is compacted on the other side. Compacted soils cannot readily absorb rainfall and since there are few spaces in the soil to store the moisture, the tree limbs are dying which means the trees are dying.

So, if it is a county road, I would suggest talking to your magistrate about getting the old and sick trees removed.