dhrmabum.....the ethic is what ever you make of it. Kill trees, moss, shrubs....what ever it takes to put a new line it. Just ask Bill Coe. He has unearthed intire echo systems to put up a new route.
I personally dont give a rats ass about the tree in question on the route Ivan was on. I did not give a rats ass when they chopped down hundreds of trees to put the road in I drove on to get to Beacon either. Just saying.....