Key Features
- Vertical line of ripped bark
- Exit wound (not always visible
Symptoms
Lightning strikes create a diversity of symptoms, from a simple entrance wound and exit wound (which may occur via the roots and not be visible), to more dramatic vertical rips, spiral rips, or shredding. Weeping may be associated with damaged tissue. Wounds left when lightning exits the tree are visible when they occur at or above the crown. It is difficult to predict the outcome of a lightning strike--some trees live and others die. It depends upon the severity of wound, and the directness of the strike.
Biology
Tall trees, (especially, tuliptree, oak and cottonwood) can be struck by lightning. Electricity from the lightning strike and burn and rip plant tissue and it races its way to the ground. Sometimes the damage is compartmentalized and leaves a scar. Other times the tree can be killed. Both the structural integrity and the biological function of the tree are impacted by lightning strikes. As the strike travels the length of the tree, conducted by the trees vascular system, water and sap boils creating steam that superheats the surround area, directly damaging the tissue, or building up steam that can explode through the wood.
Management Recommendations
Have your tree inspected by a professional arborist after a lightning strike to assure that it will be structurally sound and won't fall and become a hazzard to people and property.
Effective Pesticides
Pesticides are neither available nor recommended for managing this condition.
Resources
