What To Do If Your Tree Gets Struck By Lightning
Introduction
It is shocking to learn that lightning occurs every single second. The average bolt of lightning is incredible, equating to 2.5 million times the strength of a home’s electrical current.
The impact of lightning on a tree creates an instantaneous reaction that has the potential to lead to an explosion. Some trees suffer considerable damage, become more susceptible to disease, or even die.
Some bolts of lightning strike trees, creating problems for property owners, government workers, and others. If you aren’t sure what to do after lightning strikes a tree on your property, you aren’t alone. This is your guide on how to proceed after a tree is struck by lightning, assessing the damage, and potentially salvaging the tree.
What to do After a Tree is Struck by Lightning
A Daytime Lightning Strike over Trees - Photo by Shiva Smyth
Time is a Factor
If a tree on your property is struck by lightning, don’t panic. Carefully assess the struck tree to determine the depth and extent of the damage. If there isn’t significant damage, strategic tree care after a lightning strike might save the tree. Tree care specialists have saved all sorts of local trees struck by lightning including Arroyo Willows, Coast Live Oaks, Cherry Plums, and Buckeyes.
When assessing the damage to the tree, be aware that the clock is ticking. A tree struck by lightning has the potential to be significantly damaged even if it looks like it has not been touched. It is possible that the tree suffered meaningful damage on the interior that cannot be seen from the outside. Moreover, there is the potential for the root system of the tree to have suffered extensive damage.
Though it might be hard to believe, tree root systems have electrical current. The current has the potential to cause damage to the point that the tree is dying or dead even though it looks perfectly fine on the outside. The sooner you provide support for a damaged tree, the more likely it is to survive.
Identify Damage and Potential Hazards
Inspect the tree, and you might spot superficial damage in the form of a scar. Scars that move up and down and charred segments are clear indications of a strike. However, if the tree is burning, reach out to the fire department for assistance. Be aware that the tree might have been struck by power lines, meaning there still might be a charge.
If the entirety of the tree has endured irreparable damage, opt for professional tree removal in the SF Bay area. Tree removal should be performed immediately to prevent the tree from falling. Moreover, a strike of lightning has the potential to alter the structural integrity of the tree even when damage cannot be immediately seen.
San Francisco property owners and managers should also be aware that damage to trees has the potential to attract diseases and pests. Take a close look for exposed damage and you might find such diseases that indicate the tree is most likely ruined and requires removal. If the tree’s stem is split, it probably won’t live much longer. It is also possible that the tree is already dead. If the stem is split, do not hesitate to hire a professional tree removal service. However, some lightning strikes only slightly compromise the tree trunk, meaning it still has living areas that require treatment.
If you find the bark of the tree is water-laden along the exterior, be aware that lightning warms the water in the interior to the extent that it generates steam. The steam pressure has the potential to lead to explosions within the plant, compromising its integrity and also posing a danger to you. Be aware that such water is an electrical conductor that sends lightning away from the trunk’s interior. Such blasts have the potential to move through the tree’s outermost layers, causing total obliteration.
Moreover, if you spot pieces of bark by the tree or pieces of bark blown away as a result of the post-lightning-strike steam, it is a sign that damage has occurred. If you aren’t sure whether the tree can be saved, reach out to a certified arborist to analyze it and determine if it requires professional treatment or removal.
Care and Recovery After Tree Damage From Lightning
Expedite the Healing Process
A tree with visible damage or one that has completely toppled over should be protected with a makeshift barrier using sturdy material you have on hand. The barrier will help keep you and your family away from potential harm. A barrier also prevents pets from moving near the tree.
If there are no power lines by the tree, remove the cracked and crooked branches. The elimination of the branches facilitates tree wound healing. Moreover, the addition of water and fertilizer can also hasten the healing process when the tree is susceptible to disease. Take a close look at the tree, and you might find pests. If you spot any rodents or critters or suspect they are there, use pesticide on the trunk to thwart infestation during the healing process.
Lightning strikes have the potential to deplete trees of their water. Pour water around the tree after ensuring no power lines are in its vicinity. Add some fertilizer in addition to the water, and you’ll expedite recovery and growth. If there are any broken or dead branches, remove them.
Remove hanging branches. Look closely for splintered wood. Remove those splintered portions, or reach out to a professional tree removal specialist in San Francisco to do so. Continue to assess the tree as time progresses as problems might eventually develop. If the signs of damage as detailed above worsen or develop after the initial assessment, don’t hesitate to contact a tree removal service to completely eliminate the problem.
If the tree is still living, nurture it. The addition of water around the soil helps the tree absorb nutrients. The movement of nutrients is vitally important for tree health, as it requires sustenance to heal and regrow damaged portions. Continue to water the area for several months, especially if there has been a drought or if there is even slight dryness.
Tree Removal May Be Necessary
Property owners and managers should be aware that tree removal is required if the tree has suffered irreparable damage. If removal is necessary, it should be performed as soon as possible to prevent the tree from falling down. The last thing you want is for a damaged tree to topple downward on you, a loved one, a pet, or your property.
Preventive Tree Damage Measures
Photo by nrd on Unsplash
It is possible to protect trees from lightning strikes during storms. If the tree is meaningful to you or someone who lives on the property, safeguard it with a tree lightning protection system. Though such systems have the potential to cost a pretty penny, it often costs less to add them than attempt to regrow a downed tree or completely remove it using a professional service.
There is also the option of adding a lightning protection system complete with specialized cables consisting of copper that connect to the branches at the tree’s top. Such a system should be grounded a couple of yards from the tree. Once the system is installed, electricity is redirected toward the cable assembly, protecting the tree, be it a San Francisco Pacific Dogwood, Alder, or Oak.
We would be remiss not to point out the fact that no lightning protection system is guaranteed to work 100 percent of the time. However, such precautions mitigate the potential damage, saving you money on repairs and possible removal. When in doubt, reach out to a certified San Francisco arborist to determine the optimal precautions, likely including a lightning protection system.
If your lightning-struck tree is dead, do not assume it is wise to replant the same type of tree after removal. Every property owner and manager should be aware that certain tree species are more likely to be struck by lightning than others. Especially tall trees, trees with lofty leaves, and those with far-extending branches are likely to be struck by lightning more than others. Examples of the trees struck by lightning at the highest frequency include Poplar, Sycamore, Gum, Maple, Oak, and Pine. Moreover, location also matters when replanting. If you plant a tree at a high elevation, be mindful that it will be more prone to lightning strikes.
When in doubt about the condition and salvageability of your lightning-struck tree, contact Arborist Now for expert advice and care. We will help you determine the best course of action to save or remove your tree.
How to Save a Lightning-Struck Tree FAQs
Can a tree survive after being struck by lightning?
Answer: Indeed, trees can survive after lightning strikes. Trees struck by lightning are often scarred, burnt, or split. However, a struck tree might be damaged to the point that it requires removal. If you aren’t confident in your ability to assess the integrity of the damaged tree, contact a professional for expert analysis.
What are the immediate signs that a tree has been struck by lightning?
Answer: If you spot scarring, cracks, or split bark, the tree was likely struck by lightning. Blackened parts of the tree that have been burnt and hanging branches are also indications of a lightning strike. If you are uncertain as to whether the tree was struck by lightning, reach out to a tree care professional for an inspection.
What should I do immediately if I suspect my tree has been struck by lightning?
Answer: Look for signs of damage such as hanging branches and scarring to determine if the tree has been struck. If your tree has been struck by lightning or if it looks like it might have been struck, do not touch it. Inspect the tree from a safe distance to determine if it fell on power lines.
How do I care for a tree after it has been struck by lightning?
Answer: The tree’s electrical charge will likely settle in a couple minutes so be patient after the strike. Take a close look at the tree to assess its damage. Add fertilizer in combination with water to promote growth. Ongoing mulching and pruning of the damaged tree will also maximize the chances of survival. However, if you begin significant pruning a couple of months or even a year prior to the damage, you’ll have a better idea of the extent of the damage. Do not prune segments of the tree that might survive.
When should I call a professional arborist after a lightning strike?
Answer: If the tree has a split trunk, significant cracking, is trapped beneath electrical wires, or has smoke emanating from it, reach out to the SF Bay area experts for assistance. Do not touch a tree in such a condition, as it might pose a threat.
