Crimes Against Trees

From what I can tell, this tree is among the majestic, normally pyramidal, scale-leaf conifers. I know these can be sheared but let’s face it, they just look stupid afterward. The predicament here, clearly, is this one dared to grow beyond the confines of its 15’ x 12’ home, which it shares with garbage containers—if not complete removal, topiary is the only solution. Even with an almost pre-teen-like, giddy fascination for so delightful a silhouette, I am curious about what inspired the shaping of this 40’ “topiary.” Maybe it couldn’t have been fashioned into an elephant, but I might have gone with giraffe, either of which would have been more appropriate as a focal point for this Buddhist temple parking lot.