Burdock

Alice, I think that if he makes sure that it doesn't go to seed and then first thing in the spring go out and give the dead stalk a pull, the root will come right out. The key is to make sure it doesn't go to seed though....

All of you that said Burdock are correct. My son has cut it down a 2nd time and it had burs all over it. He is afraid it still is not dead because he can't get the roots out. He did not plant it. Thanks for being persistent.

does look like burdock to me too

I also agree with Ian, Burdock.

i agree with Ian

Ken said he planted it last year, but it got so large that he cut it down. He did not think it would survive the winter, but it did and it's back. I would guess it is Elephant ear tree.

Might be an Elephant Ear Tree, but an Elephant Ear plant has a single step for one or two leaves. It doesn't have a central stalk like this picture. But the Elephant Ear Tree does.