Sorry for your losses, sux and shitty timing on top of that.
Can imagine fruit fanatics, such as all of us, sending poor souls to the gallows for chopping/harming/taking the wrong plant or fruit. Was shocked by the rage felt when caught a worker snatching one of the last mangoes, right in front of my face. It must've shown, as he looked back in terror realizing he was not alone. Relinquished the mango and quickly departed.
Have been through a few crews of landscapers and tree trimmers. Our current team is good, but makes mistakes too. We have become friends over the years, and they are probably now afraid of harming anything other than a blade of grass. But leave the lemon grass alone, lol!
We are the exception to workers. Most people don't have fruits and valuable plants along their fence lines. A branch here or there, no harm done, most of the time.
I used to get really upset, and then angry. It still bothers me when stuff gets whacked or damaged, but I try to accept it. Also, it gets me more upset when I think of how stupid or disrespectful they must be to have done something so obviously wrong. So, I tell myself they are doing the best they know, and rationalize that I am probably one of their more particular and challenging clients. Whether true or not, feels better thinking this way.