That's not true in Australia. There's a 'plague' of poisoned trees to shore up property prices, especially at vantage points (water/city/etc). However, it only goes as far as to clear the view. This forces the council to begrudgingly overlook tree protection laws to take down 'public risk' trees.
Then there's councils maintaining power lines. Who are trimming costs by cutting trees down to half height. So, there would be those grotesque thick trunks with small branches coming out sides. They appear so ugly that residents are having them cut down and removed.
That's only where trees and powerlines are colocated. There is still a demand for greenspace that runs along wealth lines in Australia. Poor areas will have some trees, but not like the density of middle-class or wealthy areas.
Then there's councils maintaining power lines. Who are trimming costs by cutting trees down to half height. So, there would be those grotesque thick trunks with small branches coming out sides. They appear so ugly that residents are having them cut down and removed.
Edit: Here's a well-grown American example: http://bullcityrising.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/...