it's a vile thing to do (especially if the rumour it was a local developer taking revenge for not getting planning permission is true) but there's six foot of it left so it might well sprout (and there are several other trees taken as cuttings from it in the past, especially as the first tree planted in 1951 died so I think they kept some as spares). it won't be the same - and it was lovely to see on the hill when I lived there - but there's some hope at least.