Lightning Trees--Experience?

treeseer · 30th October 2007, 06:00 AM

I'm researching the management of lightning-struck trees for an article and would love to hear about/see any experience you have with them. If you have pics please have a hi res copy so they can be published. Of course I will attribute any contributions!

Ekka · 30th October 2007, 11:10 PM

Guy

Didn't we do this about 6 months ago?

I think you even had a pic of a metal box/cable bolted to the head of a pine tree down in Melbourne.

a_lopa · 30th October 2007, 11:41 PM

I dont think its a big deal personally,Sometimes they live sometimes they die...Manage the hazard Guy dont sell removals!!! Just kidding....

treeseer · 2nd November 2007, 04:08 AM

Are there standards in oz for the installation of lightning protection systems?

In the USA we have one supplier that dominates the market, and does a good job. Who sells the material in oz?

"Sometimes they live sometimes they die" Ah Jason i know you are kidding; people and trees are not that simple.

Ekka · 2nd November 2007, 04:27 AM

Standards!

Dont think so, just whip down to Ideal Electrical and grab some cable ... she be right.

treestyle · 2nd November 2007, 07:46 PM

i've even seen alfoil and copper wire used

Sean Freeman · 2nd November 2007, 09:14 PM

Guy there is a standard here AS/NZS 1768:2007(Lightning protection) which applies to trees just as it does to buildings, I don't have a copy since its not something Stephen's company offers..I have worked with companies in Brisbane that offer lightning protection and they have occaisionally installed it on very significant trees....I'm thinking perhaps Trev might have done some down South? I'll ask around and see what response I get.

treeseer · 3rd November 2007, 06:41 AM

Thanks! I've got to wrap up this piece by this weekend, so please do post what you can find out.

Ekka · 3rd November 2007, 01:22 PM

I searched (thanks Sean) but couldn't get any docs without paying.

So no specs on what exactly is required.

Seems to be an expensive document as it also covers electrical wiring and cut outs for circuit protection etc.

treeseer · 3rd November 2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

I searched (thanks Sean) but couldn't get any docs without paying.

So no specs on what exactly is required.

Seems to be an expensive document as it also covers electrical wiring and cut outs for circuit protection etc.

Yeah that's all I could find too. o well. Still, any pics of interesting systems or lightning struck trees could fit.

mdvaden · 3rd November 2007, 03:38 PM

Oddly, I've only seen one to date - in Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon.

This is lookingup at 40 feet or so of a taller wound. This is theshade side / north, so sunburn is ruled out. Must be lightning.

High part of Portland & tall tree. Douglas fir or Grand fir if I recall right.

treeseer · 3rd November 2007, 03:55 PM

Ha! I already got that one. The strike is 25 years old, according to staff. I use that one as a demo for bark tracing. That scar tissue is growing so thick because it followed the torn bark. If they had trimmed it, it may have just grown over the wood and moved more quick and less thick.

There's another doug fir behind the visitors center with a strike only 8 years old. scarring over fast, healthy crown unlike that older one by the trail in your pic.

30th October 2007, 06:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 521	Lightning Trees--Experience? I'm researching the management of lightning-struck trees for an article and would love to hear about/see any experience you have with them. If you have pics please have a hi res copy so they can be published. Of course I will attribute any contributions! __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

30th October 2007, 11:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,815	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Guy Didn't we do this about 6 months ago? I think you even had a pic of a metal box/cable bolted to the head of a pine tree down in Melbourne. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

30th October 2007, 11:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 866	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? I dont think its a big deal personally,Sometimes they live sometimes they die...Manage the hazard Guy dont sell removals!!! Just kidding.... __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

2nd November 2007, 04:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 521	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Are there standards in oz for the installation of lightning protection systems? In the USA we have one supplier that dominates the market, and does a good job. Who sells the material in oz? "Sometimes they live sometimes they die" Ah Jason i know you are kidding; people and trees are not that simple. __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

2nd November 2007, 04:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,815	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Standards! Dont think so, just whip down to Ideal Electrical and grab some cable ... she be right. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

2nd November 2007, 07:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 128	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? i've even seen alfoil and copper wire used

2nd November 2007, 09:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,638	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Guy there is a standard here AS/NZS 1768:2007(Lightning protection) which applies to trees just as it does to buildings, I don't have a copy since its not something Stephen's company offers..I have worked with companies in Brisbane that offer lightning protection and they have occaisionally installed it on very significant trees....I'm thinking perhaps Trev might have done some down South? I'll ask around and see what response I get. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

3rd November 2007, 06:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 521	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Thanks! I've got to wrap up this piece by this weekend, so please do post what you can find out. __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

3rd November 2007, 01:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,815	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? I searched (thanks Sean) but couldn't get any docs without paying. So no specs on what exactly is required. Seems to be an expensive document as it also covers electrical wiring and cut outs for circuit protection etc. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

3rd November 2007, 03:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 521	Re: Lightning Trees--Experience? Ha! I already got that one. The strike is 25 years old, according to staff. I use that one as a demo for bark tracing. That scar tissue is growing so thick because it followed the torn bark. If they had trimmed it, it may have just grown over the wood and moved more quick and less thick. There's another doug fir behind the visitors center with a strike only 8 years old. scarring over fast, healthy crown unlike that older one by the trail in your pic. __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

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