Tam,
So am I to understand that the owner of that huge tree (whose relatives cut to the ground) let you dig up the trunk/roots and take them home? If so, score one for you!!! That tree should have had some really good root mass, and I hope it sends up nice strong shoots for you this year. From what I have read on this forum, it might take some time before it decides to do this -- so don't give it up for dead before you are really, really, really sure! (e.g. wait a whole year ;-)
Cheers,
Jim