Downsizing an Elderberry tree

I have this tree at the bottom of my garden. As you should be able to see in the photos, a trunk goes off in a different direction behind the garage.



If I want to, can I remove it without affecting the rest of the tree?

It prevents me from putting wider stuff behind the garage and it doesn't seem to create too many branches above anyway.

Thanks very much.

 

Elderberry trees grow like weeds. You can chop them right down and left to their own devices they'll be back within a year.

So yes you'll get away with cutting off the wayward trunk, but expect the stump to sprout multiple new shoots in spring. Other keep chopping off new shoots as they appear, I can't think of a way to prevent it sending new stems out from where you cut.

 

Thanks very much....I'll get my axe.

 

Yes, but it will probably grow back.
It looks almost like a separate tree to the rest.

 

A saw might be better.

 

Yup. They're practically indestructible. Have at it.