Rob, give it a try, if the current owners plan to cut it out anyway. You never know it might recover without any issues. I severed the main tap root on one this spring and it has recovered well just set back a little. I have a huge problem with voles here and they regularly chew on my elata roots, the main reason they don't grow much at my house.I just think it is too nice of a plant to let it be cut down with out giving it a shot, although it will probably resprout from the root stock.