But come on, what's 3 grand to a contractor, they might as well not bother. Now if it was 100K then they might think twice about it
Indeed, that's just an example - the point is that the law is available, should our 'guardians' choose to use it...
I believe that up to £20,000 per 'protected' tree is a possible fine*, not that it ever gets applied much, of course.
The people who usually do this kind of thing are 'special' in the eyes of their friends in the system.
* That's in a Magistrate's Court, if it goes to Crown Court the fine is not limited.