Most trees in North Carolina live to be over 100 years old, if not several hundred years old. Because of this, you probably won’t have to worry about calling on one of the tree services in Hickory, NC, to remove many on your property that have died of old age.
However, other causes of tree deaths should be on your radar. You may need to seek professional services if you spot their signs.
Find the most common answers to the question, “How do trees die in Hickory, NC?” below, then reach out to a certified professional for assistance.

Deadly Diseases
Unfortunately, disease and death go hand-in-hand for many trees in North Carolina. They’re routinely subjected to:
- Anthracnose: A group of fungal diseases known for taking a toll on the leaves and stems of deciduous trees
- Annosus root rot: A soil fungus that attacks stumps before targeting healthy trees’ roots
- Oak wilt: A fungal disease that wreaks havoc on trees via their roots and, occasionally, insects
If you suspect any of these tree death factors, call a service immediately and ask, “Is my tree dying?”
Devastating Pest Infestations
Diseases are some of the most common answers to “How do trees die?” but they’re far from the only ones to be concerned about. Pests are also problematic for many people in Hickory.
A few pests you should look out for are:
- Hickory bark beetles
- Asian long-horned beetles
- Flat-headed wood borers
Just like with diseases, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your local arborist at the first sign of a pest infestation. If you act quickly, you can prevent these tree mortality causes from doing too much damage.
Dangerous Environmental Factors
You can’t talk about how trees die in 2025 without mentioning the environmental factors that have taken hold of so many in recent years and killed them. From prolonged droughts to periods of flooding, these factors put them in precarious positions.
Bad storms might also negatively impact them if they aren’t properly maintained. To minimize the chances of the environment destroying your trees, you should:
- Perform regular inspections
- Prune them every two or three years
- Water them as necessary
You should also maintain a close working relationship with a local service and seek help if you suspect something might be wrong with one or more of the trees on your property. This could stop a disease or a pest infestation from spreading and taking down multiple trees in your yard.
Dealing With One of the Conditions That Kill Trees? Give Us a Call To Help
There isn’t a definitive answer to the question, “How do trees die in Hickory, NC?” Diseases, pests, the environment, and even something as simple as a lack of maintenance could prove disastrous.
Saving a dying tree is possible, but you must act fast. Limbwalkers Tree & Crane Service is here to help anyone interested in taking the proper steps.
Give us a call at 828-413-7227 today to set up a consultation.