The issue doesnt seem to be the trees, thats more for headlines.

The real issue seems thay they didnt implement proper water mitigation which is about 100x more damaging and potentially hazardous than cutting down trees. You can see it in the photo, they arent building that complex with much concern for the surrounding environment.

Trees can also provide soil stability. It’s possible that bulk razing this plot has turned it into a liquefaction zone.