Lots of chopping trees seems to come from a laziness of thinking, where certain people in the city adminsitration are just used to the idea "trees cause costs". They never think any further about benefits beyond finances.
One cubic meter of Cedrus is like 1000 euro in the market. Most owners don't realize that trees had value, and are often tricked to get rid of their "diseased" old cedars with a convenient "free removal" by part of the company that will chop it. If the owner can't be persuaded, a common trick deployed is some "allergic" woman calling authorities and requiring to chop that tree because it makes her uncomfortable. Then some good Samaritans ring the bell offering their services. Extra bonus if you can made the owner to pay for the operation.