so it's growing from the roots of the tree?

Yes. If you cut down the tree and save the suckers, you'll have a new tree. It's flowers smell like grape cool aide. What was your low temp this past winter?

That is what we were thinking of doing... the lowest I saw it get down two was -14 but that was just in the evening so there were probably a couple days that it got even colder than that overnight. Thank you for answering btw! :)

That might explain why the tree actually died on top. They're only supposed to be hardy to about -15. The ground was definitely warmer inside the roots could stay alive.

-14F is definitely cold enough to kill an Empress Tree (Paulownia). That shoot will likely make it 10-12' by fall.

You should check the hardiness zoning where you are and see what ratings are given for this tree. Even if you are able to get it to keep its top in later years - dying back of the shoots for several years after first planting young, small examples is typical with these - the overwintering flower buds are not well protected, resulting in incomplete or entirely eliminated floral displays after low temperatures. Both of these things (dying back in the early years, loss of flower buds) happen here in my part of Zone 8. And it sounds like you are in a much colder area.

It's generally not THAT cold here (Boise, Idaho)...this past winter was just especially harsh with almost 2 solid months of several inches of snow cover. Thanks so much for your tips!

Sometimes people purposely cut down paulownia to the ground during the dormant season, just for the effect of the huge sprouts the next growing season.

Paulownia tomentosa is a very prolific, foreign invasive. Although obviously hampered and less so in your zone, I would still chop & drop it to be safe. Plus it's going to just keep dying back periodically anyways, so I would waste no time replacing it with a more desirable native tree that is actually suited for your climate...

Check Sunset Western Garden Book to see where you are zoned by them and what Sunset zoning they give for this tree. Since as I mentioned the flower buds may be damaged even over here in the Seattle area it seems doubtful this species is going to work out well as a flowering tree for you.

Also if yours does manage to develop and flower regularly, set seed then you will have the problem of it dropping hard woody seed capsules on the grass. And producing deep shade.

Many trees and shrubs originating in E Asia, that have gone wild in the similarly wet summer conditions of E North America do not behave in the same manner in the dry summers of most of W North America. In my area paulownia seedlings are seen only sporadically and in small numbers in particular situations where they are able to be sheltered from drought. Such as among large rocks or in frequently watered garden borders. I have never seen one out in the woods here, and Boise is much drier than we are.

Get rid of it.Try to dig and cut out as much of the sucker roots as possible and then remove any new growth right when you see it.The tree makes suckers that grow fast into more trees that make suckers. I would hate to read ten years from now that Enpress trees are overtaking the once pristine Utah wilderness.You know with those windblown seeds that can travel far. I had a tree in Illinois that survived four winters with sixty below wind chill.And the top never died. I wish it had.