brute, where's the picture of the rotten trunk? From the pic you posted above, the tree looks fantastic and healthy!!

The picture is here in another post on this forum: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tropicalfruits/msg0616565832112.html?4 (apparently, this won't be a "clickable" link). I suppose you'll have to scroll down to find the other post.
I couldn't figure out how to insert two photos into the same post. So I had to cover this subject in two different posts.
I'm still mystified as to where all this beautiful new growth is coming from!

Thanks Brute...if it were mine I would let it be and see how it progresses...I sure wouldn't cut it down just yet. Especially since it has such sentimental value to you. The fact that the new growths looks very healthy is a good sign. I have a Mango tree that was severely damaged 2 or three years ago that looks very similar to your damage and the tree is doing well now...even fruited for the very first time this summer.

And here's what it looks like...taken in May of this year.

Here is a link that might be useful: