Hi folks. Noobie here in need of some help.

It's the only plant in rented house garden I really like, and it's sick.
Is there anything I can do to save the plant at the top of the diagonal trunk ?

pic of it a year ago:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47...g?t=1295196542

pic of it today:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47...g?t=1295198672

The foliage on the third (right hand) branch died off nearly a year ago and now squeezing that branch between fingers, it's as soft as rotten fruit. The other two branches feel squidgy too.
There's a baby at the base of the trunk. Was about 4foot tall a year ago, now nearer 6foot. I don't know if removing that will give more life to the top or kill it completely.

Please advise.