Lightning damage yesterday
- Thread starter Glenn9643
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BillyP
Veteran Member
I have a BIG sweet gum tree that was hit by lightning, probably 20 years ago. It looked pretty much like your oak. It had a streak of bark (about 4 to 8" wide) knocked off from the top to the bottom. It's still living and growing.
Time will tell...
Time will tell...
Cliff_Johns
Elite Member
We have one maple that gets a slice taken out of it about every three years. It heals up just fine. Our red oak blew out a chuck where the bolt burst from the tree and arced to our house. That tree didn't seem to mind either, though it smoaked up our house a bit and melted some insulation. Both these trees are old and well over 24" at the base. Smaller trees may not take the hit so well, but they are less likely to get hit too.
Cliff
Cliff
gotrocks
Platinum Member
We have a pecan in the backyard. Got a hit back in the 60's and it is still living, with a dead hollow center. Hope your oak makes it. I would not cut it down until all the leaves dropped off.
Then I'd assume it had kicked the bucket. Firewood for sale. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Then I'd assume it had kicked the bucket. Firewood for sale. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
jinman
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I hope your tree survives, Glenn. My neighbor had a postoak hit by lightning. It was in the middle of a clearing in his woods about 150' in diameter. The darn tree exploded and there were bits and pieces spread all over that clearing. Nothing was left of the tree except a jagged 8' stump. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Junkman
Super Member
I had a large hemlock struck like that and it was dead the next year. Didn't care much for softwoods that drop needles, so it wasn't a big deal. Just wait it out and time will tell. Sometimes the least damaged ones are the ones that don't make it and the most severely struck, seem not to mind. Only time will tell. If it does die, let it stand for an additional year and then cut it. It is easier to burn if you allow it to be standing dead wood for a year or two. I know of a fellow that lost a big oak and he would cut branches from the tree and burn them each year until the tree was just a pole. Then he cut it completely. Said that it was easier that way than stacking a complete tree as firewood. He had the luxury of have a friend with a bucket truck to cut from....