[Descant]

There are laws about "timber trespass" i.e. harvesting trees that aren't yours. I heard one story about somebody taking down (girdling in this case) his neighbors trees to improve the view. The neighbor sued for $50,000 (loss of privacy value), a large sum to replace the trees (another $50K?) and $50K for the improved view that the defendant gained in market value with a better view. Last I heard, the case was still pending. Probably not high on the judge's priority list.(True)

You don't have to cut the trees down. A few years ago, our local conservation commission hired a Brontosaurus to cut a swath 75 feet wide through one of their holdings to provide better wildlife habitat. It's a chipper on the end of a 50 foot articulated arm and it starts at the top of a tree and chips as it comes down. In this case all you need to cut off is the top twenty feet. Fall foliage and watershed protection is maintained and the view is revealed. Of course, if you don't own the trees...

BTW, the Rt 11 view is available from November 15 to March 15. (Tongue in cheek post)