Well, they are allowed to cut trees, but from what I understand, they have to get permission for every tree, and it takes time. The other thing is that it is very limited what they are allowed to cut. It is not like they will be allowed to cut so many trees that they have like a totally open field along the line so wide that no trees can reach it even if it fell down. What I am used to from Norway is that they cut trees so far from the line that if the pole fall down, the line will not reach the trees on either side. And the trees are more or less at that height so if they fall in high wind, it will not hit the line either. Here it is just a matter of how much wind it can take, like it will be safe up to 30 mph or whatever. Winds over that and they have to shut off the lines to be safe. A very different philosophy.
But, it is correct as you say, they save a few trees this way. But they might loose an entire forest.
Bill
