"Black sooty residue" is probably the key here -- I suspect what you have is actually called Black Sooty Mould -- a mould which grows on honeydew, which is the sticky-sweet discharge from sucking insects like scale or aphids. I would look carefully at the branches and undersides of the leaves, I suspect you will find an infestation of either scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, or similar. If so, I would treat the trees, either with an oil-type spray, or with a systemic insecticide like Imadicloprid. Dennis SE Michigan

How much water is it receiving? Looks healthy fo me. Look on underside of yellowing leaves for any black dots, which could indicate the start of a fungal disease called black spot. You can remove those leaves & any fallen leaves below the rose. to prevent the spores from reinfecting the plant. Also apply mulch around your roses. This helps prevent fungal spores found naturally in the soil from splashing upward when it rains or you water. The mulch also acts as a weed block and decreases watering requirements by keeping the soil below moist. Use about a 3” layer. Don’t pile the mulch against the canes either.

Yes the tree has irrigation. I just had all the dead branches cut off. The trunk is stable and strong. I have gotten zero help from the community, no one seems to know if it can be saved, or how to help it recover. It appears I'm on my own to save it. I guess I'll be the go to person if I'm able to get it back to its healthy state.

Kandy, please take this as just an initial shot at attempting to find the cause of your situation: Do be aware-it is possible to overwater plants. Some of the visual cues that this is happening include chlorosis(Yellowing of foliage that is supposed to be green) wilting stems and foliage (I know-sounds wrong, but is true), other off-color effects, and lack of vigor. And yes, all of these symptoms can be caused by numerous other causal agents! Wouldn't you know it! So, it seems like you know what you're about with gardening, etc. Perhaps you can provide additional info for us. Finally, while it is too early for "fall color", some plants each year do seem to show early color change. We don't always necessarily find out the reason(s) for this effect. Are you seeing something beyond just the odd coloration here and there....to a more general. systemic situation? +oM