Lightning strikes and trees

treestyle · 11th February 2010, 10:56 AM

G'day,

Have a stand of 5 gum trees, ranging from approx 15 - 20m. all within 5m of one another. recently constructed around, jumped in and set up a TPZ and mulched. Were looking good.

Then, the tallest tree in the middle of the stand was struck by lightning! It's totally gone and needs removing, not gonna stump grind in case damage is done to other roots. Few leaves on other trees browning off, and canopies gone sparse, still bit of green in em tho.

You reckon other trees could be affected?

Cheers.

Eric Frei · 11th February 2010, 11:41 AM

Sure, if foliage was wet then the type of strike could have "flashed" over the foliage, could be burned leaves and new ones come or could be permanent damage.

Roots likely grafted, extreme heat and expansion of cells, likely some damage. Area adjacent to strike grounding likely also heated and affected. Smaller hairy roots likely killed, larger roots likely to recover.

You cannot do a whole lot but wait, mulch, soil conditioners, Seasol, encourage those new roots to grow.

Also try Root Extender from here. tell them Ekka sent you from TreeWorld, they'll look after you better then.

Other threads.

Peak lightning month approaching

Lightning Trees--Experience?

lightning struck hemlock

lightning strike oak tree

Attached is an excellent PDF by Coder, lots of info in it.

Eric Frei · 5th March 2011, 11:30 PM

Lightning shreds big tree - Local News - News - General - Lakes Mail

Quote:

03 Mar, 2011
SOME might say it was divine intervention but there is no doubt the destruction of a 16 metre gum tree with a two-metre girth at Brightwaters last week was literally a bolt from the blue.

Witnesses said a single bolt of lightning at around 2.30pm on the Sunday struck the tree with such force it literally exploded into shreds.

Curiously, the tree wasn't even charred by the strike.

"It was quite odd that there was no fire or anything. The tree just exploded by all accounts," said Christopher Williamson whose parents live around the corner from where the stree stood and who took this photograph.

"I was told by a person that there was a working bee the day before and an application had been sent to council to get the tree removed but it was denied," Mr Williamson said.

treeshaveneeds · 13th March 2011, 12:25 PM

obviously divine intervention to get the tree removed lol

11th February 2010, 10:56 AM	#1
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 128	Lightning strikes and trees G'day, Have a stand of 5 gum trees, ranging from approx 15 - 20m. all within 5m of one another. recently constructed around, jumped in and set up a TPZ and mulched. Were looking good. Then, the tallest tree in the middle of the stand was struck by lightning! It's totally gone and needs removing, not gonna stump grind in case damage is done to other roots. Few leaves on other trees browning off, and canopies gone sparse, still bit of green in em tho. You reckon other trees could be affected? Cheers. Last edited by Eric Frei; 11th February 2010 at 11:42 AM. Reason: changing title for facts forum

13th March 2011, 12:25 PM	#4
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: Lightning strikes and trees obviously divine intervention to get the tree removed lol __________________ My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports Consulting Forester If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too ! We do great jobs, even in small yards. Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered) Email -- treeshaveneeds@3web.com Cell 416-460-5704

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