Looks like yellow bellied sapsucker woodpecker damage. I don't have any experience with it, but I've read that covering the effected areas with hardware cloth will deter them. I would do an internet search for "how to prevent sapsucker damage".

The South had a severe drought last year. Gatlinburg nearly burned up. Many trees were stressed/died as a result. Please don't blame a bird.

Sapsucker damage is pretty obvious and these trees show the distinctive signs: a series of holes drilled in a very even horizontal or perpendicular pattern. Usually the damage is not severe enough to kill the tree but can weaken it sufficiently so that it is not able to withstand other stressors, like drought or the entry of disease pathogens or other insect pests.

Sapsucker damage in my area is often very visible on pines, cherries and birch trees but no trees are immune.

first pic.. is the trunk really skinnier down below ???

i had a row of scots pine.. the SS did not attack until the trees were already stressed and dying from other problems ...

most likely money well spent would involve hiring an certified arborist to see if perhaps they should be removed .... especially if they were pre-exisiting and the home built in between them

if they fail.. will they fall on anything of value ... we really dont have many facts here to opine much further

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=isa+certified+arborist&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

This weeping Sequoiadendron is suffering. Some of the top is dead.

The Sapsuckers don't bother the species in my garden, just the weepers. Out of three, this is the only one left.

Some friends have also had them go after their 'Pendulum'. It was planted in front of the house many years ago, then grew back over the top of it - instead of away from the building. So if the tree croaks it will have to be removed without damaging the roof.