@helenczerski It's sad to see but, if you have the time, try to find out why. Perhaps, others on here will know why.
Where I live in Surrey, the council and the Woodland Trust amongst others have been dealing with a lot of diseased trees. (Particularly, Ash Die Back)
I'm not saying that's what happened here but it could be the reason.
They don't look like ash. They may be pollarding the trees. Seems odd to cut them so neatly to that height and not just fell from the base
@helenczerski @leafster Yes I see what you mean. The thing is those cuts look clean and if planning to fell in stages the cuts would be left rough with the felling dips still in them. It would take an extra cut to leave them neat like that. Fingers crossed they are pollarded. If I can share your picture might be able to find out more as I am on an arboriculture forum.