this is not trimming, this is beheading! i reckon that the trees involved won't survive. this is no difference than felling. yes the bugs could be a problem to the farmers and the crop, but it's also food source of aboreal birds i think. many of the trees on the bund are fruit trees as well. it could be good news for waders lovers but it's ruining the habitat of other species.
anyway thanks for vicky's effort and hope you can persuade them not to do that again.