They're dying because that's how it works. Out with the old and in with the new, nature functions by this system. And make no mistake, as much as we separate ourselves from it, we are part of nature and follow natural processes. In much the same way as a Banksia tree, without the forest fire burning down the tree, the seeds would never grow into new ones. Think of it like that. I think it's rather beautiful in a bittersweet way.