Why do they cut off the lower branches of the oak trees?

[CD]

I'm not talking of trees which overhand the road, but those in between two fields.  The lower branches are all being cut off.  Is this to allow wind through a line of trees to prevent them being blown over in high wind?  Or is it for free firewood?!

[Poolguy]

firewood

A+

[Peter]

I think it is so they can get lovely straight lengths of timber with few knots. very valuable

[Ty Korrigan]

I asked my friend M.Henri a retired farmer and he says for the wood and to minimise the shade on the maize which is very sensitive to light. However cutting the branches off does reduce the girth of the tree over time.

[Linnorton]

I thought it was so farmers could get their tractors closer to the edges of the fields.

[Fumanzoku]

Around here it's not limited to Oak trees, and they cut off everything, leaving only a trunk of about 2-3 metres. From this new branches sprout.

Why do they do it ? In my opinion  - greed. They've cut down all the forests and woods, (quite a few in the 5 years I've been here), all the rest of the land is agricultural and now they've found firewood fetches a bit more cash they attacking the few remaining trees.

Also cut down an orchard of lovely old fruit trees that the had been carefully maintained all his life by my late neighbour, and replaced them with an 'apple factory'.