dying Catalpa

patleb

Hi: I live in New Brunswick, Canada on the east coast, zone 4-5. I started two catalpa trees about 7 years ago and they took off like crazy. The last two years they started dying ( some branches would die) and this year there is no foliage at all on the upper branches. Most of the leaves are on the trunk at the base of the tree. Would it do any good to cut the tree down and just leave the trunk? Will it send out shoots, like most trees do (maples, birches,) so I will at least have a catalpa bush. Can I do it now or should I wait and do it next winter when the trees are dormant? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pat

Brent Ferris

A picture would be helpful. It certainly won't hurt to remove the deadwood, but if you are more in zone 4, you are really a little far north for Catalpa. The warmer areas of zone 5 are about the limit. It will survive warm winters with mulching, but cold winters will kill the tree tops. By all means remove part of the trunk and let it sucker, just be prepared for dieback.