Can this tree be saved after severe intentional damage?

[Amy Foot]

Hi, wondering if anyone could help please. We moved into a new home January 2019 and between viewing and getting the keys, an opportunistic neighbor had attacked our tree (cedras atlantica?). It had been cut all around trunk with a chainsaw, and poison pellets put in above this. Desperate to save it, I removed the pellets and filled the cut with moss and taped around it. More recently we have filled the gap with pieces of a branch we trimmed. It seems to be shedding a ton of needles and looking a really sad colour. I would love to save it but I'm no expert. Is there anything I can do? Is it beyond all hope? Will it die? 

Thanks in advance for any advice. 

[Amy Foot]

I had seen that some trees can recover from it, that's why I still held out some hope for it, but I'm guessing this one isn't going to recover then? 

It's reignited my anger though seeing that others are shocked by it, feel like I'll have to say something to the neighbours, just can't see it ending well! 

Thank you for all the comments, definately considering putting a passive aggressive sign on it and persuading it to fall onto the summer house! I would sacrifice my new fence for that! 

[trigger_andy]

10 hours ago, Amy Foot said:

I had seen that some trees can recover from it, that's why I still held out some hope for it, but I'm guessing this one isn't going to recover then? 

It's reignited my anger though seeing that others are shocked by it, feel like I'll have to say something to the neighbours, just can't see it ending well! 

Thank you for all the comments, definately considering putting a passive aggressive sign on it and persuading it to fall onto the summer house! I would sacrifice my new fence for that! 

Can you prove its them though? If you cant then you're showing your hand. They will obviously deny it and then be on the look out for retaliation. Revenge is best served cold so Id personally wait, check out where they have their camera's as surely after they have done something like this they are expecting retaliation and plan your revenge accordingly. 

 

Liberally spraying their garden with Round-up would be top of my list.

[Gary Prentice]

I can appreciate how frustrating this must be, having been involved in similar situations myself - pricing semi-mature replacements after the fact.

 

With the absence of 'evidence' as to the perpetrator there's probably little that you can do, apart from make it plain that you're taking it seriously. It would probably be an uphill battle but have you contacted the police? First job is to get them to take it seriously, but considering the cost of felling, grinding and purchasing and establishing another similar sized tree would be approaching £5K (at a guess) there's enough of a loss to push for some intervention.

 

At best you might just a community officer to ask the neighbours if they saw anything. That way you are least giving notice that you'll pursue (as far as you can) things and not just be a doormat to be walked over.

[Paul in the woods]

Looking at the original post this damage was done over 18 months ago? You may also not be the victim, i.e. if the damage was done before you completed the purchase you would need to claim against the vendor and it would be them who the crime was committed against. I doubt the police would get involved so it might be wise to try and put it behind you if you can.

[Silverhooker]

19 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

Looking at the original post this damage was done over 18 months ago? You may also not be the victim, i.e. if the damage was done before you completed the purchase you would need to claim against the vendor and it would be them who the crime was committed against. I doubt the police would get involved so it might be wise to try and put it behind you if you can.

I agree with that I would get it felled and re-plant a more suitable species.