Advice for Cuttings

Hi can any one advise.

I have had this Tree in my Garden for about 25 years.
Some time back it died during a very bad winter. So I cut it back.
Then 2 shoots appeared and as you can see I now have 2 trees.
I expect they are about 12 years old.
I have shoots coming off from the bottom of the trunks about 2 inches
above soil level. But Both trunks seem to be sheading bark about 2 ft
up for a 5 inch area. The rest of the bark is OK. It could be cats scratching on it.

1)  Is the tree/s on their last legs and should I cut them down.

2)   Can I use the shoots to plant and make new trees. If yes how do I
      go about it as there is no root when I cut it off of the main stem.

Any ideas ???