Many of us have seen stunning footage where, during a storm, lightning dramatically pierces the sky and strikes a tree. One might assume that such a strike would be fatal for most trees, but in reality, this is not always the case.
Lightning strikes can reach voltages of millions of volts and heat up to 20,000℃. Therefore, a tree that becomes the highest point can instantly die — for example, if the sap inside its trunk quickly turns to steam, leading to an explosion. However, sometimes trees remain completely alive and healthy after being struck by lightning.
Which trees withstand lightning strikes better
In general, the damage that lightning causes to a tree depends on its species, the type of lightning, the moisture content of the trunk, and the location of the strike.
Trees themselves are not good conductors of electricity. If the trunk of a tree is very moist after rain, the discharge will travel from the bottom up directly into the ground, causing minimal damage to the tree. In this case, it may have small marks left on it, but overall the plant will continue to grow.
Sometimes lightning strikes not the top of the tree but its side. Such a strike often leads to the death of the living tissues of the tree, leaving a “scar” on the trunk. Theoretically, a tree can recover from such an injury, but only if it was not too severe. Otherwise, the process of decay and rot begins at the site of the strike.
However, there are also trees that look normal after being struck by lightning but suddenly fall months later, breaking everything around them. This is explained by the fact that the lightning strike disrupted the tree's metabolism, and it could not protect itself from fungal diseases or insect pests. Such “hidden” trees need to be monitored closely to prevent them from causing irreparable harm to people's health or property.
