Sorry WA, sounds like a mess over there. Unless they determine the tree is dying and must come down, I would go with the cheapest option. Is this tree hovering over the neighbor's house or garage or something? I'm trying to figure out why he has such an issue w/it, unless it would damage his property if it fell. Perhaps it can be trimmed back, if that's the case. Although that's not cheap either, but removal will definitely cost more. Hoping it gets resolved soon. Just ignore your neighbor, although it definitely sucks to have that tension ongoing.