Sorry about your friend. Climbing does has its risks.
My opinion? Don't even think about tearing up the vegetation.
Big problem, dude. Boulderers altering the landscape is becoming an increasingly recognizable problem. (Denuding vegetation, stashing crash-pads which the local rodents love, chalkin' up every last crimp, etc). You want bouldering to maintain a low-impact reputation and stay relatively uncontroversial? Keep it clean and low impact. Leave the saw, ax, or whatever at home.
respect the raindawg... hes right 99% of the time