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Asked by: Sylvester Kleinhaus
news and politics weatherCan an oak tree survive a lightning strike?
Besides, what happens when a tree gets hit by lightning?
Trees struck by lightning can show several symptoms and have a range of damage. In general, when lightning hits a tree, the water in the cells beneath the bark is heated and boils. If lightning strikes a bit deeper into the trunk, the entire tree may blow apart, or all the bark will blow off.
Regarding this, will a lightning strike kill a tree?
Unfortunately, trees in the landscape do not have that ability and are often struck by lightning. The impact of a lightning strike may be light, leaving no obvious damage, or it may be severe, with catastrophic results. Damage Done Most trees along a lightning strike path are not killed.
In this case, lightning damage looks like: A crack or slit that runs down the tree's trunk. Chunks of bark stripped off the tree. Sparse leaves; or wilted leaves throughout the canopy.