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Landscaping Guide For Homeowners

Hello, my name is Justin Malone and on this blog you'll find a lot of useful information about landscaping. When I moved into my newly built home, I didn't even have any grass in my yard, so I had to start from scratch. Before I tackled the project of landscaping my property, I did a large amount of research first. I learned how to plant grass seed, and when the grass started to grow, I researched planting trees. As my yard started taking shape, I planted shrubs and made flower beds. My next landscape project was building a fish pond and I completed it with ease after doing the research. I'm writing this blog as a guide for others who want to do their own landscaping and I hope that it helps you learn how to create a beautiful yard.

Care Guide For Lightning Struck Trees

22 December 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Thunderstorms are an awe-inspiring show by nature, but they are also dangerous. Often, landscape trees suffer the brunt of the damage when lightning strikes. This can sometimes kill the tree, although many trees do survive. The following guide can help you assess the tree and make a decision on what to do after a lightning strike.

Types of damage

A lightning strike can result in one of several types of damage. The following are examples of what to expect:

  • The tree splinters or appears to explode. This is because the lightning heats the moisture inside the tree, which expands and causes instant splintering.

  • The tree catches fire. The fire may smolder inside the tree or only a branch tip may alight.

  • Bark damage occurs. This is similar to exploding, except only a strip of bark suffers the overheating and is blown off by the strike.

  • Root damage occurs. Sometimes only the roots are damaged and there is little to no visible damage. The tree will eventually die, though.

A tree can suffer multiple types of damage from a single strike.

Immediate actions

Wait until the storm passes to assess the tree. The only exception is if the tree is on fire or smoldering – in this case, contact the fire department.

Once the storm passes, assess the damage. If fire or splintering has destroyed the majority of the trunk and canopy branches, the best option is to contact a tree removal service to remove the tree as soon as possible so it doesn't pose a falling hazard. This is because it is highly unlikely that it will survive.

Minor splintering or bark damage may not lead to permanent problems, and most healthy trees can recover. The exception is when there is root damage. Since this may take weeks before it is apparent, you will want to practice caution around a tree you are trying to save. Do not play or sit beneath the tree, especially in windy weather. Also, monitor it closely for any ground disturbance or leaning that indicates that it is no longer well rooted.

Ongoing care

If you're home to save the tree, you will need to provide some extra care as it recovers from the stress of the strike. Make sure the tree doesn't suffer any drought stress the year of the strike. During dry periods, water deeply every two weeks or so. You may also want to apply a tree fertilizer. The extra nutrients will help encourage healing and new root and leaf growth.

Pruning is also important. Any damaged or dead branches should be promptly removed. It's best to have this done by a tree service that has experience with lightning damaged specimens. Also, you want to avoid heavy pruning until the tree has recovered fully.