I'd do a search for scrogging (or scrog, or screen of green, or low stress twisty tie training) techniques, as there's likely some handy insight available around here somewhere. I don't scrog, and wouldn't be comfortable telling others how to do something I haven't any hands-on experience with.

For a 'normal' grow, I usually let the dying stuff die on it's own, and pick up the leaf litter when necessary. But with a scrog, I believe training and trimming is an ongoing process.