I think that this is what they turn into:

[Linked Image]

In addition to hiding the unsightly power lines, etc., they're good for lifting house eaves, and if you want to become a Spider Rancher, you can with all the webs in the foliage. The little "pine cones" that grow on them are hard as a rock and great for throwing at things.
Other than that, they're useless, In this case the roots probably won't do a World of good for the underground utilities that someone almost dug up to plant them.