Journal of Arboriculture 9(2): February 1 983 51

LIGHTNING AND TREES

by Ernest W. DeRosa
The exact cause of lightning still remains uncer- from the earth, usually from a high point, for the
tain. Thunderclouds seem to be charged with stepped leader rapidly enhances the positive
positive electricity at the top and negative elec- charge on the surface as it approaches the
tricity at the bottom. At the very base of the cloud ground. When the two discharges meet, a con-
there is often another smaller region of positive ducting channel to earth is established, which
charge. lights brilliantly as the result of the return stroke.
The source of these charges is understood to This is what we see as lightning as it moves up-
be largely due to precipitation and air currents. As wards at 1/10 to Vi the speed of light. This is so
water falls to the ground it separates into smaller fast that the entire channel appears to light up at
and smaller rain drops. As these drops of water once, not showing the relatively weak light from
break apart, a separation of electricity takes the stepped leader.
place. The water receives a positive charge and Thunder results from the passage of a return
the air currents a corresponding negative charge. stroke, for the enormous surge of current through
There frequently exists great differences in the a channel produces great heat. This increases the
electrical potential between the earth and air dur- air pressure in the channel so that it expands with
ing thunderstorms, and the electrical conditions of supersonic speed, producing a shock wave which
the atmosphere and earth may change instantly we hear as thunder.
from negative to positive. On the ground below, a Trees likely to be struck. Lightning prefers to
moving carpet of positive electric charge is in- strike tall, pointed objects, and will often strike the
duced which follows beneath the drifting cloud. same place more than once. When the discharge
Over high points like hilltops, buildings, or trees occurs, the bolt will tend to follow the shortest,
the effects of these charges are greatly inten- most conductable path to the earth's surface.
sified. Therefore objects that stick out above everything
Two forms of lightning are generally recognized else are more likely to be struck. This is why a per-
— 'forked lightning' which passes between the son in a boat on flat water, or a person standing in
cloud and the ground, and 'sheet lightning' which an open flat field is in danger of being hit by lightn-
occurs completely within the cloud. We shall ing.
focus on 'forked lightning' since these discharges The tallest trees in a grove, trees in open areas,
affect us on earth, and affect trees. trees on the edge of a grove facing an ap-
A lightning discharge to the ground is initiated proaching storm, trees on hilltops, and trees
by enormous differences of electrical potential located close to buildings where wiring or plumb-
between earth and cloud — as much as 100 ing might enhance ground conductivity are likely
million volts! Each lightning stroke to the ground points of discharge for lightning bolts. Often they
begins in the cloud as a local discharge between do become ground terminals of lightning
the negatively charged region and the small discharges. Unfortunately it is these old, large,
positive charge near its base. This frees electrons historical trees that we value most in our com-
and forms a conductive channel along which they munities.
travel towards the ground in a succession of Species of trees most commonly struck by
steps, often referred to as a 'stepped leader'. lightning include oak, elm, maple, poplar, ash,
These steps give lightning it zig-zag appearance. spruce, fir, pine, and tuliptree. On the other hand,
The negative charge from the cloud moves con- beech, birch, and horsechestnut seem to be rare-
tinuously towards the ground, rapidly extending ly struck by lightning. During thundershowers,
an electrically conductive path through the non- trees become more or less drenched with rain.
conductive air along which the return stroke can The more thoroughly wet the tree is the less
flow. This is a discharge which leaps upwards susceptible it becomes to lightning strokes
52 De Rosa: Lightning and Trees

because of its better electricty-conducting sur- direct contact with the bolt itself. This same
face (Stahl, 1912). Therefore smooth-bark trees phenomenon occurs when people stand under
such as beech appear to be more immune to trees for shelter during storms. If the tree is struck
lightning because they become thoroughly wet by lightning the person underneath may sustain in-
during storms, while oak and other rough-bark jury because they were within the electrical force
trees do not. field of that lightning bolt, since people are good
Damage to trees. Lightning effects on trees conductors of electricity. Immediate action (Car-
vary from no noticeable damage to total destruc- dio Pulmonary Resuscitation — CPR) will often
tion. In many cases minimal damage may be evi- revive people in this situation. A person struck
dent on the trunk (cracking, peeling of bark, etc.), directly by lightning would not survive.
while the roots have suffered considerable Treatment. Since damage to the root system
damage. Often the ground around a tree hit by may be much more extensive than the noticeable
lightning will show cracks that follow the roots of damage to trunk and branches, time (approximate-
that tree. Small plants near the base of the trunk ly 1 year) should be allowed for observations of
may be killed. Leaves may wilt immmediately and the tree's response to the lightning strike before
die due to heat from the lightning bolt. Other times costly treatments are made which may be of no
branches may be cut off, trunks may split down avail in the long run. The roots of trees struck by
the middle, or the entire tree may explode or burn. lightning should be examined for extent of injury. If
Lightning damage to trees depends on a variety of more than 50% of the root system appears
factors. The physiology of the tree seems to have healthy then proper tree maintenance procedures
a direct influence on the lightning affects. Lightn- should help that tree recover.
ing often takes a spiral course, following the grain Trees injured by lightning should be treated like
of the wood, which is sometimes very irregular other stressed trees. Broken branches or stubs
(Stone, 1916). In some cases the lightning left by severed branches should be properly
discharge follows the line of least resistance — pruned. Loose bark should be removed and in-
the cambium zone, burning a small channel down jured bark cut back to healthy tissue. Fertilizers
the trunk, which often results in the formation of a low in nitrogen but high in phosphorus are sug-
ridge on the bark. Trees with high internal resin gested to improve the vigor of the injured tree.
contents make better conductors of electricity These are the types of fertilizers often used in
than those with lower resin contents. Therefore vegetable gardens. Watering during dry condi-
these high resin trees (pine, spruce, fir, etc.) may tions is of utmost importance in proper tree care to
be more susceptible to internal heating and explo- restore and maintain vigor.
sion. Lightning protection. Lightning protection
The action of the lightning bolt itself has a direct equipment is available to help preserve trees of
influence on the resulting damage to trees. The historic or sentimental value, and to protect trees
amount of current or voltage will affect the amount in situations where they are likely to be struck by
of damage to the tree. Obviously the more voltage lightning. The safety of nearby buildings, cars, and
the bolt carries the hotter it is and the more people from the damaging side effects of a lightn-
destructive potential it has. The lightning ing bolt striking a tree is also an important con-
discharge may disperse so as to cause no visible sideration.
mechanical injury to the tree, but an area of the Lightning protection for trees is similar to the
cambium may be killed resulting in girdling and lightning rods that protect buildings. A copper
eventual death of the tree. cable is placed as high as possible in the tree.
The surrounding points near the tree may in- Specially designed copper fasteners are used to
fluence the direct action of the lightning bolt. The fasten the cable all the way down the trunk to the
tree may suffer minimal damage because it was ground. These fasteners allow for slack and con-
'under the influence' of the lightning bolt but not tinued growth of the tree. The end of the cable is
directly hit. 'Under the influence' means within the attached to a ground rod driven deep into the soil
electrical force field of the lightning bolt but not in out beyond the main root area. Trees with broad
Journal of Arboriculture 9(2): February 1 983 53

crowns may require additional conductors which Bibliography

extend into the highest parts of the side branches Duling, John Z. 1974. Protection, Service and . . . Profit.
Weeds and Truf. Sept., 1974. pp. 12-14.
in order to cover the spread of the crown. Lightn-
Fuchs, Sir Vivian 1977. Forces of Nature. Thames and Hud-
ing protection systems should be checked son Ltd., London, pp. 57-72.
periodically and adjusted to allow for growth and National Arborists Association 1979. Lightning Protec-
tion Installation Systems Standard, pp. D-1 - D-4.
expansion of the tree. Stahl, E. 1912. Die Blitzgefahrdung der verschiedenen
"Lightning Protection Installation Systems Stan- Baumarten, Jena, G. Fisher.
dard" is available from the National Arborists Stone, George E. 1 91 6. Shade Trees, Characteristics, Adap-
tation, Diseases and Care. Massachusetts Agricultural
Association, 3537 Stratford Road, Wantagh, New Experiment Station, Bui. No. 170. pp. 241-245.
York 11793.
Homeowners are warned not to attempt to in- Shade Tree Laboratories
stall lightning protection systems in trees. One Suburban Expt. Station
should consult a commercial arborist with the pro- 240 Beaver St.
per training and experience. Walt ham, MA 02154

ABSTRACTS

Johnson, W.T. 1982. Horticultural spray oils for tree pest control. Weeds, Trees & Turf 21 (5): 36-40.

Oil is one of the oldest natural pesticides. In the first century A.D., the Roman scholar Pliny wrote that
mineral oil would control certain plant pests. It was also known at that time that the oil was liable to injure
plants. Between 1942 and 1 970, teams of petroleum chemists and entomologists made great strides in
spray oil science and technology. Arborists and nurserymen benefited from the work on fruit trees
because many of the pests controlled by oil were the same pests that injured shade trees and shrubs. To-
day, superior horticultural oils are being produced by four oil companies. Modern spray oil can kill ar-
thropods in two ways: 1) by penetrating the egg and interfering with the vital metabolic processes, or 2)
by preventing respiration through egg shells or respiratory passes (tracheae) of both immature and mature
insects.

Powell, CD., Jr. 1982. Developing a spray calendar. Am. Nurseryman 155(10): 49-51.

Disease infestations and development occur in cycles that are based largely on the seasons. Diseases
go through these cycles mainly because their hosts go through cycles of growth and development that are
also governed by the seasons. In the landscape, there are not many diseases that require chemical control
programs. However, we should remember that chemicals are only one means of combating plant
diseases. We should be just as interested in using resistant varities, attempting cultural modifications, or
choosing an alternate planting site. The amount of stress a plant is subjected to has a good deal to do with
how widespread the disease will be on the plant at the end of any one season. Spray prevention of
diseases should be thought of as a fourth means of defense against diseases. Using resistant varieties,
thinking about cultural control, and practicing good sanitation and management should all be considered
before resorting to chemical sprays.