If you recently noticed a tree struck by lightning on your property, you might wonder what to do. Frank’s Arborcare LLC, an expert provider of tree services in Greenwich, CT, offers professional advice below. Learn how to identify lightning-struck trees and what solutions might save them.
What Does a Lightning-Struck Tree Look Like?
Lightning-struck specimens are fairly easy to identify. As you stroll across your yard or through the nearby forest, you might notice the following symptoms:
- Trunk or bark splitting: When lightning impacts a tree, it forces itself into the wood, opening up sections of the trunk or even splitting it in two.
- Canopy decline: You might notice sparse, discolored, or wilting leaves in the area of damage or throughout the canopy.
- A sap explosion: Lightning that reaches the sapwood or greenwood can ignite the sap and cause the tree to explode.
- Charred or smoky wood: If you inspect the wood, you’ll likely see visible blackening where the lightning burnt the bark.
Now that you know what to look for, what can you do about it?
How Can You Care for a Tree Struck by Lightning?
Sometimes, you can preserve a lightning-struck specimen, but you must act quickly and care for it consistently. You’ll almost certainly need help from a professional arborist in Greenwich, Connecticut, to help support the damaged trunk and identify parts that must be removed.
Caring for a damaged tree typically involves the following steps:
Inspect the Tree
First, you’ll thoroughly evaluate the wounds. If there is pervasive root damage, the tree may not survive. Similarly, internal decay spreading through the trunk is often a death sentence.
Your arborist will determine whether the tree can survive the damage or if you need a removal service to protect your property’s safety.
Secure the Structure
If the tree can survive, it may need support to heal in a structurally sound way. Lightning produces an electrical conduction that violently ravages everything it touches. You might need:
- Extensive pruning services to get rid of multiple damaged limbs
- Cabling to pull the trunk in the right direction
- Bracing to push damaged trunks and limbs back together
Treat for Pests
The tree is a magnet for diseases and pests insects until its wounds close. Your arborist may treat the bark and surrounding ground with pesticides and fungicides to deter these organisms from infiltrating the exposed wood. Once the tree heals, it may flourish despite its traumatic injuries.
Fertilize for Healing
A soil analysis will determine whether the injured tree can access sufficient nutrients. Poor soil won’t support healthy healing. Your arborist might recommend a fertilizer or mulch to replenish lost nutrients and protect roots.
Contact Frank’s Arborcare LLC for Assistance in Greenwich, CT
Have a tree struck by lightning on your property? Call Frank’s Arborcare LLC today at 203-423-9523. We’ll inspect the damage, consider cabling and bracing benefits, evaluate other treatment options, and advise you if removal makes more sense.
