mm wrote:
I have an evergreen tree, a fir tree, not a pine tree, but I'm not
sure just what the name is. The kind used for Xmas trees, I think, or
maybe not. The short needles on this are sort of sharp.

I had access on one side to the center of the tree, and I found myself
breaking off lots of the short dead stems, that maybe held green stuff
when the tree was younger, and then lots the dead branches some of
which still had dead "fir" on them.

Will this end up damaging the health of the tree, or more likely the
appearance of the tree? If I break out the entire dead center, will
the live limbs grow in dfferent directions? Or will it just look
wierd to have a somewhat empty insides?

There is a lot left that I didnt' do, but it was like scraching a
scab. I seemed to have an irresistable urge to keep breaking.

Broken twigs, no problem. Larger branches you should cut properly. After years,
the tree will grow past the cut, and it won't even show anymore until you cut
and split the wood. Better not to leave broken stubs of larger branches, so
breaking them off is not a good idea. Read about proper pruning techniques. Lots
can be found by googleing.