I inherited two Catalpa trees when I purchased my current home. they are, I think, Southern Catalpas based on the leaf structure. I was advised to cut the plants back severely each fall right back to the trunk. This was fine for the first few years as each spring there would be new growth from the top of the trunks. However, in the last couple of years, the growth at the top of the trunks has stopped and all I get are shoots coming out from the sides and bottom of the trees. I have tried cutting the growth back at the top in an attempt to get shoots to appear and keep trimming off the side and bottom shoots but with no luck... are the plants just coming to end of their life span?
You are now "pollarding". Maybe try searching that term to see what is involved. If the trees have not had this treatment for years, if ever, before suddenly getting it now there may be some effects resulting from this radical change in their circumstances.
