Did you know that lightning strikes somewhere on our planet earth roughly an average of 100 times per second! And equally as impressive these strikes can come to us with over 100,000 volts of direct electrical current at up to 30,000 amps with temperatures reaching above 30,000 degrees Celsius or 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit making it five times hotter than the sun. According to literature cited from “The University of Minnesota” lightning damage to trees is difficult to predict, but it does depend on the trees location in the landscape (is it a single tree in an open field) and the species of tree. Interestingly Birch trees are rarely struck by lightning while Oaks, Elms and Conifers are often the targeted victims. Trees alone in fields or golf courses, along with those near bodies of water or those that have their roots deep into moist soils are also targets for lightning. An estimated 1 million trees are struck by lightning each year, many die but some do survive. Lightning is a powerful force we still do not completely understand. We do know that there are several forms of lightning. According to “Wikipedia” cloud to ground lightning only makes up roughly 25% of lightning worldwide. The bulk of lightning occurs cloud to cloud with no discharge to ground. Lightning is a negative flow of electrons that zigzags downward often met by positive electrons coming up from the earth often referred to as ground to cloud lightning or return stroke. Trees struck by lightning receive tremendous trauma to both metabolic and structural systems. Trees carry on most conduction of water and nutrients within the outside layers in the phloem and cambium layers directly below the bark. Lightning like all electricity always seeks the least form of resistance for travel. Tree sap is a better conductor of electrical current than wood within the heartwood, hence most lightning damage rapidly heats the sap beyond boiling and the resulting steam expansion leads to an explosion tearing and ripping the outside bark. Trees that have high heartwood moisture (xylem layer) have additional pathways for lightning often resulting in explosion of the entire tree. Not all trees struck by lightning expire and many do continue useful lives. If you have a tree struck by lightning please have it examined by a Connecticut Licensed Arborist who can first determine the structural soundness and determine if there are any safety related issues. Best practice management would be to help alleviate any stress from the tree by proper watering and mulching. Long term affects from lighting could take a year or longer depending on the amount of damage and if the root system (which we can not see) has been damaged.
As always your Yacko and Sons Tree Service staff Forester / Licensed Connecticut Arborist is available to examine any of your trees for lightning, insect, disease or other related issues. Contact Forester Jeff for your FREE TREE LOOK-UP FROM THE TRUNK-UP! jeff@yackoandsons.com or 203-733-9219
