Rajai Zumot, a Virginia commercial real estate manager, wanted to build a house for his son, who’s getting married in June.... So, though he is a self-proclaimed tree lover, Zumot cut the poplar down last month, a decision that enraged neighbors and D.C. officials.... “ Life and safety — you cannot put a price on it.” Zumot’s tree came down days before the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation extending protections for heritage trees....