I think one of our biggest problems is that there is a lack of understanding in councils themselves as to what proper pruning/tree care is and why these standards should be the bare minimum.
Moving them forward is one of our greatest challenges, and there is just no quick way of achieving it....in the mean time all that terrible damaging activity continues with Joe public having their opinion of a goos hair cut reinforced as they drive past massacred trees.
Yes i understand that they utility crews are working to their cutting criteria, and their job is to protect the service asset, absolutely no problem, but council and state govt really have to take on board the kind of changes and developments that have been going on in parts of US and UK in the last 20yrs and incorporate them into our practices.
Better for the trees, better for the LGA budgets better for the power supply company, better for the community.
SF