You hear a deafening boom followed by a startling crash. The air outside your home smells like freshly chopped wood. You recognize the signs of a lightning-struck tree. But what does a tree struck by lightning look like? Central Florida Tree Care explains what to look for before scheduling our tree services in Plant City, FL.
Can Lightning-Struck Trees Be Restored?
Unfortunately, lightning strikes typically kill trees. There are some exceptions, but even these have low chances of survival. However, you can sometimes save a lightning-struck tree if you discover its condition quickly enough and enlist assistance from an arborist in Plant City, Florida.
What Does a Tree Struck by Lightning Look Like?
When lightning strikes a specimen on your property, it may not always leave behind a cracked tree that you’ll notice on sight. Some signs are much subtler, and you’ll have to look closely to identify them. So, what does a tree struck by lightning look like? Let’s explore the symptoms in depth below.
Odd-Looking Bark on the Trunk
Bark damage from lightning comes in many different forms. You may notice a large section of blackened, charred bark. Sometimes, the lightning’s impact manifests as smaller burn marks that aren’t as obvious without a closer look.
You may also see a spiral-shaped lightning scar that spans the entire trunk’s height. It resembles a slash of exposed wood that sweeps up the entire tree. The specimen may survive minor burns or superficial scars, but damage that reaches the heartwood will almost certainly be fatal.
Sections of Dead or Disconnected Branches
What does a tree struck by lightning look like? If you can’t see any unusual markings on the trunk, check the tree’s canopy. Look for fallen or leaning branches in one section.
You may also notice big areas of dead foliage. When lightning strikes, it can take out an entire part of the tree’s crown. The tree may also shed excessive quantities of leaves or evergreen needles, creating a carpet on the ground surrounding the base. Your arborist can inventory the damage to see if an intensive pruning service can increase the odds of survival.
Open Wounds in the Trunk
Check the trunk for any new wounds. A lightning-ravaged specimen might sustain the following noticeable injuries:
- Splintered trunk: Lightning bolts can form deep canyon-like crevices that splinter the trunk into separate sections.
- Exploded bark: Sometimes, the impact creates a petaled hole with bark that almost looks melted along the edges.
- Flowing sap: Even if you can’t find any obvious wounds, sap weeping from the trunk indicates that the lightning strike made it into the heartwood.
These severe wounds almost always result in tree death.
Contact Central Florida Tree Care About Emergency Tree Services Following Severe Storms in Plant City, Florida
What does a tree struck by lightning look like? It may exhibit these additional signs of a dying tree, in addition to the ones listed above. Central Florida Tree Care can prune struck branches or remove the tree altogether for your safety and peace of mind. Call 863-670-7375 to request a tree service estimate in Plant City, Florida.
