Should I attempt to sue?

Oh boy, I have quite the situation with my HOA and I’m not sure what I should do.

I have lived in my neighborhood for almost a decade. I have never personally had any issues with the HOA in regards to my home but they are fairly notorious for causing issues with homeowners in the neighborhood. For example, they spent several years suing homeowners in the community for a foot of ‘communal space’ at the back of several yards which led to many legal fights and people moved because of it.

In early October, I came home from work to find a man in my backyard grinding down a large, native shade tree that had been there for about 20 years. The tree was one of three that sat directly on the property line, and it had survived multiple major hurricanes. We purchased the home in part because of these trees and the privacy and shade they provided. When I attempted to find out why this was done, the HOA said that their arborist said the tree needed to go and that I could ‘sue them’ if I had an issue.

I have repeatedly tried to arrange a meeting with the president of the HOA and the association that manages my neighborhood but they have ignored both emails and a certified letter. I thought I should attempt to mediate first before going fully legal, but now I’m thinking I need to pursue legal action. I work in the landscape field myself and my arborist said he did not think that tree needed to be removed at all and said he felt it was vindictive, so I am very conflicted on what to do next. The removal of the tree has completely changed my yard and even our electric bill has gone up.

Any suggestions?>!location: SW Florida!<