There is a push in the UK now to retain deadwood where it does not present a hazard or is deseased. This is for ecological reasons primarily & as our tree cover is pathetically small every little helps.
Here is an section fron the draught of the update for the British Standard for treework. I will email the pdf to anyone as i can't upload it onto the forum
9.4 Deadwood management
COMMENTARY ON 9.4
The risk posed by dead branches depends on the location (e.g. whether the deadwood overhangs a
“target” that cannot be readily moved, such as a highway) and the wood properties of the species
concerned, the size of the deadwood (e.g. whether > 50 mm diameter). The dieback and shedding of
branches are, however, natural processes within the development and aging of trees and provide
essential habitats or places of shelter (i.e. decaying wood and cavities) for many species of fauna and
flora.
Dead branches should be shortened or if necessary removed if they pose an
unacceptable risk to people or property and if other options (e.g. diverting a footpath)
are not practicable. The unnecessary loss of deadwood habitats should be avoided
when making specifications for crown management, particularly if legally protected
species (e.g. bats and many birds) are using the tree. Thus, in the absence of any
significant risk to people or property, deadwood should not be removed.
NOTE 1 The hardened dead branches of several species of tree e.g. pedunculate and sessile oak,
sweet chestnut and yew, can often be retained without unacceptable risk to people and property; such
branches do not need to be removed where any risk associated with this deadwood is judged (by a risk
assessment) to be at an acceptable level.
NOTE 2 If branches have died due to disease or to a pest infestation, their removal might be
justifiable for sanitation in certain circumstances. There are, however, very few harmful organisms
that can survive for long on dead branches and so the sanitation pruning of such branches is generally
not appropriate except on specialist advice. On the other hand, the “sanitation pruning” of living
branches is an accepted means of controlling various diseases, such as Nectria canker.
If it is appropriate to cut any dead branches (see Table 1), this should be done so as to
avoid injury to living bark or sapwood, which could lead to the development of
further dysfunction and colonization by decay fungi or pathogens (see Annex E).
I'll drop a 2" limb on your noggin from 50 feet up and you let me know if it's a big deal or not. OK? 
I agree that it would be aesthetically unpleasant for you. 
