Lightning is one of the most beautiful and scary parts of nature. Did you know that the average lightning strike carries about 100 million volts? Imagine what happens when a tree is struck by lightning. The strike scars bark, boils the moisture inside, and leaves the trunk and roots unstable. For homeowners, this damage creates hazards that need immediate attention.
If one of your trees suffered a lightning strike, call Mr. Treeman to schedule tree removal services in Oxford, CT.
What Happens When a Tree Gets Struck by Lightning?
Lightning strikes trees millions of times a year in the United States, but what really happens when a tree is struck by lightning? The sections below answer that question:
Internal Steam Pressure
Lightning heat turns moisture inside wood into steam. Internal steam pressure blasts through the trunk, leaving hidden cracks and scarring that weaken the entire tree. Even when the outside looks intact, this reaction damages the tree’s core and reduces its strength.
Bark Fragmentation
The strike strips bark in long, jagged lines. Bark fragmentation exposes raw wood, attracts pests, and leaves pathways for decay to spread through the trunk. Once bark is gone, the tree’s natural defenses fail, making it easier for insects and disease to invade and speed up decline.
Trunk Splitting
The lightning’s electrical surge rips through the trunk and forces it apart. Trunk splitting leaves deep fractures that weaken the core and put the tree at risk of collapse during the next storm.
What To Do When Your Tree Gets Struck by Lightning
It’s scary when lightning strikes a tree in your yard. Below, we list the steps you need to take to protect your family and property.
Inspect From a Safe Distance
Stand back and look for stripped bark, cracks, or broken branches. Explosive wood ejection scatters sharp fragments across the yard, so keep clear until the area is safe.
Call Emergency Help If a Fire Starts
If you see smoke or burning limbs, call the fire department right away. Fire ignition risk spreads quickly through damaged wood and endangers your home.
Schedule an Inspection With a Professional Arborist
Lightning often weakens roots and trunks in ways you can’t see. Structural instability makes a tree unpredictable, and a certified arborist decides whether to prune the damaged branches or remove the tree for safety.
Call Mr. Treeman for Help After Your Tree Gets Struck by Lightning
Lightning strikes trees millions of times each year, and many never recover. Even if a tree looks healthy, internal cracks, scorched bark, and weakened roots after a lightning strike put your safety at risk.
If you still wonder what happens when a tree is struck by lightning, we have the answer. Unfortunately, it causes lasting damage that requires professional care.
Call Mr. Treeman at (203) 879-3645 to request a free estimate on tree removal, winter tree care, or emergency service. Protect your home and yard with expert help you can trust. Contact us today for reliable storm damage support.
