This time of year they drop their leaves. In soucal,they bloom in May. The bay area in June. In the desert they are in bloom right about now.

they drop a golden color, not brown, nor did I say they were dropping

Leanne, there's no need for cutting comments like that. To be fair, your original post didn't mention what was turning brown (leaves? branches? limbs?)

A photo would be nice in order to see exactly what you're seeing, since the description is apparently not communicating it well.

pretty sure i mentioned topping

Here is a link that might be useful: ISA

By topping them, you will see great bunches of brand new fresh growth.

In my area, Santa Barbara, they are all looking sick and unhealthy and filling the streets, car vents, lawns, gutters etc with piles of leaf litter. It is their season to do just that.

A beautiful tree...in someone else's yard. (ours is 100 years old and massive and I do know the cycle and what pruning dead wood will spur them on to doing) Off to rake up wheelbarrow loads worth.