Lightening Strike

MooseRiverMan · 07-08-2008, 09:35 PM

Two weeks ago lightening struck one of the tallest pine trees on my property.
It cut a small slash removing the bark, etc. for most of the length.

The tree is in an almost impossible spot to be reached by a crane plus it is right next to the house. It has to be close to 80 feet high.

What are the odds the tree will live, or has the heat from the lightening boiled the sap and it is doomed.

EricP · 07-08-2008, 09:48 PM

Unlikely it will survive. We had one hit and it rotted from the inside out. We had a tree climber take it down before it took us down

Resident 2B · 07-08-2008, 09:50 PM

I believe you will get many differing opinions from our forum. In this potentially serious case, I would get the opinion from one or two experts and make a decision from what they have to say.

Good Luck!

R2B

skprbob · 07-09-2008, 06:01 AM

I strongly recommend Jim Cline from Center Sandwich. He specializes in removing trees from awkward places - sounds like that's what you need.

dpg · 07-09-2008, 07:08 AM

I had a direct hit through the ground and up a big white birch in mass around 5 years ago. same thing, split and removed some of the white (bark) the tree seems to be alright today. Although your results may vary.

Followed my underground wiring for the sprinkler system, also "blew" my controller for the sprinkler literally off the wall needless to say that was junk.

Rose · 07-09-2008, 08:39 AM

This happened to a neighbor's pine 2 years ago. It is now dying.

Here's a link with more info.

http://wvlightning.com/trees.shtml

SIKSUKR · 07-09-2008, 09:16 AM

I've had 2 white pines hit in the past with the same type of damage and they are both fine.I'd wait and see how it heals before taking it down right now.

AC2717 · 07-09-2008, 11:06 AM

I am a wait and see guy in this case, the leaves falling or regrowing will be a tell tale sign. If you need a good tree guy look back in prior tree work posts. Court Kelly is the way to go, If you want his info you can PM me or his info should be in the other posts. He would be able to tell you if it is going to make it or not. I just was speaking ot him a couple of weeks ago, he has a boat now and is willing to do island work on any of the lakes and has, or you could pick him up at the docks somewhere. Great Guy!

scubajay1153 · 07-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Stuck your tree?

Sorry, had to do it!:P

07-08-2008, 09:35 PM	#1
MooseRiverMan Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lightening Strike Two weeks ago lightening struck one of the tallest pine trees on my property. It cut a small slash removing the bark, etc. for most of the length. The tree is in an almost impossible spot to be reached by a crane plus it is right next to the house. It has to be close to 80 feet high. What are the odds the tree will live, or has the heat from the lightening boiled the sap and it is doomed.

07-08-2008, 09:50 PM	#3
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,352 Thanks: 987 Thanked 310 Times in 161 Posts	Time to hire an expert I believe you will get many differing opinions from our forum. In this potentially serious case, I would get the opinion from one or two experts and make a decision from what they have to say. Good Luck! R2B

07-09-2008, 06:01 AM	#4
skprbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 19 Mile Bay Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 90 Times in 29 Posts	good tree man I strongly recommend Jim Cline from Center Sandwich. He specializes in removing trees from awkward places - sounds like that's what you need.

07-09-2008, 09:16 AM	#7
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I've had 2 white pines hit in the past with the same type of damage and they are both fine.I'd wait and see how it heals before taking it down right now. __________________ SIKSUKR

07-09-2008, 11:06 AM	#8
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,522 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	Well I am a wait and see guy in this case, the leaves falling or regrowing will be a tell tale sign. If you need a good tree guy look back in prior tree work posts. Court Kelly is the way to go, If you want his info you can PM me or his info should be in the other posts. He would be able to tell you if it is going to make it or not. I just was speaking ot him a couple of weeks ago, he has a boat now and is willing to do island work on any of the lakes and has, or you could pick him up at the docks somewhere. Great Guy! __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

07-08-2008, 09:48 PM	#2
EricP Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 329 Thanks: 28 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Unlikely it will survive. We had one hit and it rotted from the inside out. We had a tree climber take it down before it took us down

07-09-2008, 07:08 AM	#5
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	I had a direct hit through the ground and up a big white birch in mass around 5 years ago. same thing, split and removed some of the white (bark) the tree seems to be alright today. Although your results may vary. Followed my underground wiring for the sprinkler system, also "blew" my controller for the sprinkler literally off the wall needless to say that was junk.

07-09-2008, 08:39 AM	#6
Rose Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 498 Thanks: 62 Thanked 71 Times in 32 Posts	This happened to a neighbor's pine 2 years ago. It is now dying. Here's a link with more info. http://wvlightning.com/trees.shtml

07-09-2008, 01:53 PM	#9
scubajay1153 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 93 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Non dairy creamer? Stuck your tree? Sorry, had to do it!:P