[Greysard]

zoning officials, who are now prohibiting him from displaying a cross on any tree on his property.

This should be nipped in the bud, of course. But if the guy wants to work around the system he should make the cross out of branches of living trees. The city fathers will overheat and explode since they are probably druids and worship trees.

[lowbridge]

But if the guy wants to work around the system he should make the cross out of branches of living trees.

Or shape crosses out of his bushes :-)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They'll fine you for pruning your trees in an unapproved manner.