What do you mean by "rotting"?? Can you provide photos? It has been uncommonly wet and windy the last few days so that can influence late season coloring and leaf retention.

photos .. and big city location...

its nearing winter.. the sun is in decline.. and the plants and leaves are shutting down and getting ready to be shed... there really isnt anything to be done with deciduous plants this time of year...

but.. just to confirm it.. lets take a look at it..

ken

Ken, the OP indicates they are located in the PNW, zone 8b and from previous posts, I am pretty sure they are in the greater Seattle area. Not much you can contribute to the situation as you are in distant MI and consider JM's "foo-foo trees" anyway. Best to stick with something you have firsthand knowledge of.