This is something we really need to take on: not all value needs to be utility or monetary based. Things can have existential value, too.
Unfortunately we take the former approach with just about everything. We willingly tie our worth as a human to our work performance or some other ridiculous metric. You don't have to be the paragon of project management, or a world famous influencer to be deemed worthy. You are worthy just because you exist.
Trees, frogs, and mosses all have inalienable rights to exist, too. Since they comprise the natural world, and actually perform functions to sustain said world, they have value. Moreso, I would argue, than an exemplar of project management, or bumping up a number on the NYSE. More value than the table we could make from the trees, or the extra bit of space we could use from destroying wetland (frog) habitat.
He just couldn't work out what to do with the sticks. Insisting the sticks not be moved from where they fell was ultimately the problem, if you ask me.
All of these views are valid. A tree has to be seen for what it can provide. If it’s more valuable to society and nature as a tree, leave it be. If other trees can gain from it being removed earlier than its natural decay demands, I’d argue to remove it.
Trees prevent soil erosion, keep water clean, provide the basis for many beneficial insects and so forth and so on. They have a giant value in our financial system.
I worked for the forestry service in Oregon planting Douglas Fir trees for a season. Most of the seasoned foresters didn't stick with the job because they loved timber, wooden chairs, and backbreaking work. They did it because they loved the natural beauty of Oregon, especially the trees.