Lightning storms are common in the United States, especially in Texas. If your trees were struck by lightning, expect them to become weak or to die immediately. When trees are weak, the structures nearby, including your property will be in great danger.
Even everyone’s safety can be at great risk if you ignore this problem. Once you find out that lightning struck your trees, you need to call arborist Edmond has to offer to get the affected trees eliminated. Lightning can cause your trees to degrade quickly. More often than not, trees that are planted near an adjoining structure or building have greater chances of being hit by lighting.
When lightning strikes your trees, the damage that they can do to your property should not be underestimated. Even conductive substances that have steel materials can also be affected. So what should you do if your tree was struck by lighting?
Remove Trees As Soon As Possible
You will need to remove damaged branches or trees immediately. Be sure that you call a certified arborist to do the job. It can be massive and dangerous for you if you decide to do it on your own. Lightning damage is also a sign that you need to schedule a tree inspection. Getting the tree inspected involves evaluating the health of your trees. There is a possibility that a lightning strike can permanently damage your trees. There is no other way to resolve the problem but to cut the trees.
Common Signs A Lighting Struck A Tree
When lightning strikes your tree, it is not only the exterior that is affected but the interior of a tree as well. Since you cannot see what is beneath the bark, you might think that your trees are still perfectly fine. While they may look okay for days or even weeks, they will slowly decline and eventually die. Due to internal harm, the outer parts of your tree will also be seriously affected. A tree struck by lightning will have a slit or crack running down the trunk. The bark will also be stripped off in chunks. The leaves also appear to be wilted or sparse and the regions of bark are blackened or burned.
Contrary to popular belief, lightning can strike the same spot more than twice. Trees are its primary target. There is a possibility that your trees will manage to survive after a lightning strike, but it will depend on the tree’s health, moisture levels, and species.
Does a tree immediately die after it gets struck by lightning?
The trees do not die instantly after a lightning strike. Once lightning hits, it will penetrate into the deep layers of sap and water beneath the bark of your tree. As lightning works its way into the tree’s interior, the chunks of bark will begin exploding off of your trunk. You will also see that lightning has reduced the number of leaves. Your trees’ ability to produce food has also been hampered. It will be difficult for your tree to grow or survive.
Can you still have a healthy tree after a lightning strike?
There are different factors that affect the tree’s survival rate. One of which is its health. If you tree has a small damage, you can consider disposing of them on your own. However, it is imperative that you call an arborist to deal with the problem if the trees look dangerous or if there are massive limbs that need to be removed.
When you talk to a professional arborist, you will be able to know what needs to be done. There will be an in-depth assessment which will help arborists identify if your tree can withstand the harsh weather, insect infestation or disease. Your tree can decline easily if its parts have already been damaged by lightning.
Not all trees die instantly once struck by lighting. After being struck, some trees can still successfully survive and grow. Their fate will depend on their age, species, health and even their location. You should watch out for the wound that the tree may have left as they can become an entryway for diseases or insects which weaken the tree over time.
Talk to a certified arborist to get an assessment of your tree’s health. You can never tell when a tree needs to be removed or retained unless a qualified professional evaluates it.
Leave a Reply