Thanks very much, guys! I'll have to crawl under it to check out the trunk. I'd be afraid to deliberately cut the trunk in half.
I'll certainly collect as many root fragments as i can, and start them in a variety of places (or maybe pots) and see if any come up, probably to be given away. Or I might replace some Lavatera.
My friend might have to settle for one big rose bush on one side of her door, and several babies on the other side. Heavy pruning of the big guy and encouragement of the little ones might balance them after 3 years or so!
