Haven't you heard? It's all part of the Global Conspiracy, to depopulate the earth and return it to its "natural state" with all the "sheeple" (great word, I use it alot) confined to the cities and factories where they work to serve the Masons/Illuminati/Avon Ladies or whatever. Man, you guys need to open up your paranoia box!
Seriously, it is a trend with not only trees. One fruit complains at city council, and they make a half-baked thoughtless law/ordinance to quiet them. Then the petty beaurocrats get to exercise both their moral cowardice and natural bullying ability.
I think we need more people like this guy:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003444247_toiletfence.html
I wouldn't want him for a neighbor, but if I did, I'd buy him a case or two of his favorite beverage.
After reading the ST article, it doesn't discuss really WHY toilets instead of a fence- there is a stupid inflexible ordinance preventing him from erecting one, plus his neighbors all fought the permit for the fence. "Art", gotta love it.