Michigan owner afraid to ask what board wants him to do with shrubs

A member of our board association approached me yesterday and mentioned that other residents have complained about two of the small trees/shrubs (I have no idea what these things are) in my front yard. They were here before I moved in, and not planted by me.

I frankly don't care for the things either, but was under the impression that unit owners aren't allowed to make modifications to landscaping without board approval, so I left the two trees alone.

The board member was very polite and left me with the impression that (with my permission) the board would remove the two trees/shrubs itself.

Have I made the correct assumption? Or does the board expect me to do this on my own time and dime?