Barbara, I've learned that many "Arborists" know nothing about tree diseases. I had an oak that had some of the indicators of Sudden Oak death. I called a guy I knew that was kind of a hack (but called himself an arborist in his ads), but since it was just coming down, and nothing was under it I didn't care... and he was cheaper than some of the others. I showed him the black growths on the trunk, and he said they were just parasites that he sees all the time. Then when he cut the tree, there was the distinctive patterning that showed the disease. He didn't believe me on that either.
That's just one of many that I've had through the years..
Anyway, I'm sorry for your neighbor's problems. Hope they stay dry...
