What to Do if Your Tree is Struck by Lightning

Milford Homeowner Wonders

When lightning strikes a tree the damage is instant, turning the liquids inside the tree to gas that causes the tree bark to explode. Half of trees struck by lightning will die immediately. The other half may be able to recover but will need plenty of water, with additional irrigation, to begin the healing process. It is also advisable to give the tree fertilizer to ensure that it gets additional nutrients to begin the regrowth process.

After watching a nearby storm, a homeowner in Milford, NH was wondering what he should do if lightning were to strike one of the large pine trees in his yard.

When It Comes to Lightning Strikes, Some Trees Are More Vulnerable

Due to their size, trees are often the target of local lightning strikes. Trees that reach a larger height such as oak, pine, and maple are more susceptible to this type of damage. Other factors that can affect a tree’s vulnerability to a lightning strike include the level of moisture in the tree and its overall health. A lightning strike can tear the bark of the tree, splitting the wood.

Treating a Tree After a Lightning Strike

Time is of the essence for a tree struck by lightning. After a strike, you should remove the injured or cracked branches. This will promote healing of the tree’s wound. Fertilizer and supplemental water can also encourage the healing process during a time when the tree is more vulnerable to disease. Continue to check the tree for pests, spraying the trunk with pesticide to prevent an infestation as it heals.

By offering the tree some additional TLC after a lightning strike, you can ensure that it will begin the healing process giving the tree the best chance of survival.

Hopefully the homeowner in Milford will never need this information for his own trees, but he is happy to have it just in case.