Hi, Kim.  I understand your frustration.  Thank you for filling out the intake form.  For a more detailed answer on what replacement tree might work for you, it would be helpful to know what kind of tree this was and how large and how tall it was.  (I see you said you've had the tree for 5 years.)  A photo of the tree with some leaves would help us identify it. A photo of the damaged trunk would also be helpful.  Thinking about possible replacement trees - what is the surrounding environment like? Shady, sunny, hillside, wet, dry?  What size tree are you envisioning?  Have you considered tree-like shrubs instead, for the birds to perch in near the feeder?

In general, woodpeckers do not cause life-threatening damage to trees.  (The exception is sapsuckers, whose rows of holes can be a problem.)  Woodpeckers tend to be attracted to trees that already have insect infestations or rotting heartwood.  They also use some trees for 'drumming', to protect territory and attract mates. 

For more detail, check this article from Penn State about woodpecker damage to trees.

Thinking about replacement trees, you might start by looking at this Vermont Tree Selection Guide:  https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/complete_vt_tree_selection_guide_2019.pdf 

I hope this gets you started, and I look forward to sharing more information if you can send some photos and/or other info.

Sincerely,