it wil depend on the tree surgeon, but i dont see why not. The plant is dormant. Are you killing the tree or do you intend to let it 'regenerate'?

Well the tree is way too high to collect any fruit from it S'girl and I have a couple of smaller trees which are in a better place, so I think it's end has come. I also have a freezer full of damsons, damson vodka, jam, jelly and frozen pies and crumbles, all from fruit that fell to the ground. Damson overdose.

Ginellie a clematis alpina would look great over the stump if cut at about 3 foot. May need help to attach itself at first, at least our C alpina did but now it romps away.

Thank you for your advice and suggestions.

you may well get that it re grows tro a suitable height. even more damsons :o)

It depends on which Clematis you want to grow as to how much trunk you leave - you'll need to check on the mature heights that any clematis will reach before the tree surgeon does his worst!

If it's any help, I've got a couple of books that would tell you exactly that.

When do you want the clematis to flower - and do you want an evergreen one?

I think evergreen would be lovely Spritz, and as for when it flowers, I don't mind. Having said that, I know some need much more careful pruning than others and I would go for the easy option every time.

then C alpina even though it isn't evergreen is a good one as needs little to no attention.

Clematis cirrhosa for me, then! You've seen my C. c 'Lansdowne Gem' - I have 'Freckles' and 'Wisley Cream' too - each different but all evergreen and autumn/winter flowering. Your trunk would need to be left at around 7 -8 ' for these, I reckon, but you'd enjoy them - and they don't need pruning. :-)))

If it is anything like any of the Damson trees in our Wood then it will regrow from the stump no matter how tall a piece you leave. Also if it is on its own roots it will produce a huge number of suckers, everywhere its roots have reached.
The wood from a Damson tree burns beautifully, but you must (according to folk law) say thank you to the tree for its bounty or have bad luck. Also it does not keep very long, it begins to rot away very quickly in store, nor is it any use for woodworking.

Lots of choices there then. It will be easy to leave 8' Spritz because the tree is about 20' at the moment.
You are right about the suckers Owdboggy, everywhere near the tree. I can't plant anything else there at the moment but will try to dig them all fairly soon.
Thanks everyone.

At least if the tree does shoot out again, it'll take a while to produce damsons!

Good luck.