Is my beloved tree dead?

[Radish]

In the back of my yard, I have a beautiful small tree with pink flowers. Actually, I had such a tree yesterday. My nephew has anger issues and today when I went outside I found my beautiful tree as seen in the picture below. I am heartbroken. All of the flowing branches with pink flowers are gone. My question is whether the tree will die without the branches or if there is something I can do to stop it from dying. I know nothing about trees and I would appreciate any information anyone can give about this horrific situation.

Thank you.

 

[Raintree]

Did the flowers look similar to this?
If so keep it watered and it'll be fine.

 

[Radish]

No, nothing like that. i am searching for a pic but have not found one.

 

[Raintree]

 

[Radish]

View attachment 908730

That looks like it. So beautiful. What's it called?

 

[Raintree]

Saucer magnolia, hardy tree, good chance she will sprout out. Keep it watered and mulched.

 

[capetrees]

Saucer magnolia, hardy tree, good chance she will sprout out. Keep it watered and mulched.

with those leaves?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

And let your nephew know we recommended it be fertilized with his ashes...

 

[iowagold]

a bit of red paint on the ground with a sign.
"warning not liable for any one messing with the tree as the tree bites!"
lol
i would look in to the sealer spray for the cut places..
keeps the bugs at bay.
water and a bit of miracle grow tree fertilizer.
i bet it will be ok.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Are the leaves on the ground from the tree? They look like some Maple, maybe Silver. As said, keep it watered and mulched, it may sprout back.

 

[Stonewoodiron]

I’m sorry about your tree and situation with your nephew. Looks like he did a “topping” job!
I see people who pay to have this done to their trees. It’s not a proper way to prune but the tree almost always survives