Gees, those trees are close to the conductor. I'm doing ROW work and we have to clear 10 metres from the outside wire. No chopper required just mow em down with the mulcher.I had no idea either until I saw it happening a mile away from home! There are a bunch of youtube videos, search on "helicopter tree trimming". Here is one:
I thought $10,000 was high myself. I just stating what he told me