The rotten trunk will spread rot to the rest of the roots.
I've seen it happen a dozen times. Usually, you end up with
a single living trunk.

Indirectly, the dead trunk becomes mushy organic material in your container,
and it that holds excessive moisture...which leads to rot.

I'd remove the trunk, at least, immediately.

Next question: What kind of soil and what sort of container is it in?

Josh

I have one with a dead, inner trunk and the plant has been fine for years. It died a few years ago and I never removed it because it was in the middle of the braid. I suppose the correct thing would have been to remove it, but I didn't notice it and it was dried out. Never rotted or affected the plant.

This plant has been growing in bagged mix for its entire life and is fine. The second photo was taken outside when the tree got quite sunburned but you can see the braid. It recovered as is seen in the first photo taken later.

Jane

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There's an image missing.

Josh

Lynnism,
I thought the attached Thread might be a good read.

Josh

Here is a link that might be useful: Sick looking braided Money Tree

Sorry, I changed to the different version of Photobucket and haven't got the settings straightened out yet.

June (before repotting and pruning)
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October

I always take a look at that trunk when repotting and it has dried up and shows no sign of rot. I would cut it out if it showed any sign of disease. It died many years ago.

Jane

Jamie,

I'd recommend that you repot the plant this Spring, and remove any dead root material. Replace the potting mix with a porous, fast draining mix.

Josh