What happens if my tree is struck by lightning?

What should you do if your tree has been struck by lightning?

Taking quick action is most important to save your tree.  With or without human intervention, most trees will continue to thrive after being struck by lightning but there are some things you can do that will minimize the stress on the tree.

Within the first 8 to 24 hours after the lightning strike you can help the tree begin its healing process by ensuring it has plenty of water. Loss of moisture is one of the most stressful parts of a strike for Mid Florida varieties of trees.

Resist the temptation to treat the wound yourself. It’s natural to want to trim away the damaged area or attempt to “bandage” the wound. Studies have shown however that these types of actions can often do more damage than help. Trees are astonishingly resilient. Your tree knows what to do. It will quickly send chemicals to the damaged area to try to confine the injury. Just provide extra water and fertilizer to help encourage the tree's own natural healing process.

If there isn’t obvious damage that is a hazard to your home or family, hold off on trying to prune immediately. Experts tend to recommend a period of time to wait and see how the healing process is doing and what further steps may need to be taken to help your tree to thrive.

It is important to note that not all trees can be saved and many trees that have been struck by lightning can be dangerous. Contacting a company like Mid-Florida Tree Service that specializes in tree care and/or one of their Certified Arborists, is highly recommended before making the final decision to further treat or have your tree removed.

If you have tree that needs to be looked at, whether it’s been struck by lightning or not, contact the professional family of experts at Mid Florida Tree Service at 813-986-2258 to discuss all your tree care needs.