This sounds like a really dumb idea from a supposedl;y smart mayor and well run city, especially if they want to keep the trees. Trimming street trees is part of public safety, and one wrongful death lawsuit from a tree limb falling on someone will wipe out any potential savings.

In addition, trees provide readily quantifiable economic beneifts in terms of shade, energy savings, rain and stormwater retention, air quality, and property values.

Turn city trees into a maintenance liabilty for property owners and watch the creative ways folks come up with to make that liability (and the tree) go away.