I had a maple tree that was over 3 stories tall in my front yard. It was starting to lean on the house, and a neighbor offered to trim it down. We agreed he was going to cut off one of the "forks" that was leaning on the house, and he would "trim the top of the tree. I specifically told him, that I didn't want to remove the tree because I liked the shade it provided.
I just came home from work, and the only thing in my front yard is a 15' trunk, with no branches. He tells me he misunderstood what I wanted! And that it will grow back. Is this true? How long will it take? And did he butcher it or not?

Well... honestly trees are picky... it just depends on the health of the tree if parts of it will grow back but... it will never look the same.. most often you'll be left with a stump... I hate to say that and sorry for your loss... I'd hafta kill the man! LOL...

I have a degree in this thing... yes it was poorly pruned! A maple will sucker back but after time it will just decline. However the suckers should be back be next season.