Oak lightning strike

[covex]

We have a more than 200yr old oak here, that was hit by lighning two days ago. It seems one of the main branches was hit, there is a lighning path on that branch without bark 10cm wide stripped down to branching, but the main trunk is untouched. I have to do a closer inspection yet, but I would welcome any experiences with that and what to do next. The oak is pretty healthy - we did a load testing and tomography few month ago on that tree. I understand a general effects of lighting on the trees, just would like to hear a real life experience.

[Dan Maynard]

I know of one locally which I reckon was hit by lightning a good few years ago, there are some dead limbs but being oak not much decay and so tree overall doing just fine.

 

I think you need to wait a few years to even see what the effect has been, I guess the potential is a lot of root damage but maybe absolutely fine.

[Peasgood]

3 hours ago, covex said:

I would welcome any experiences with that and what to do next.

In my experience you won't need to do anything.

Have had several trees hit over the years, some had a strip of bark peeled off and are still standing decades later with no obvious ill effects. Others were blown to complete smithereens! Would have loved to have seen it happen but would probably have pooed my pants too. Fully mature specimen parkland oak with about 15' of trunk left standing and the rest spread over a 200yard diameter area and reduced to splinters. Absolutely mind blowing.