Beech scar, causes?

[felixthelogchopper]

My initial thought was big limb torn off years ago, this reinforces that thought.

 

[scm]

Thanks for helping, had suspected torn limb or fire damage(hadn't even considered lightning damage). Wanted see what popular opinion was. ta.

[scm]

but I've also documented lightning strikes in beech associated with nitrification in the vicinity of the town I live.

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when you say ''associated with nitrification'' are you measuring the levels of nitrification resulting from lightning strikes? (i have a very limited understanding of this)

[Fungus]

when you say ''associated with nitrification'' are you measuring the levels of nitrification resulting from lightning strikes?

 

No, in The Netherlands we have/had a saying : in a thunder storm avoid standing under an oak and seek shelter under a beech, because beeches don't get struck by lightening, which is no longer valid, because nowadays lots of Dutch trees are under the direct influence of ammonia (nitrification) coming from overmanured grasslands and maize fields, changing the normally neutral bark surface of beeches into negative loaded, which attracts and conducts lightning as a result.

[scm]

wow, thats interesting stuff, have you written/published anything on this? id like to find out more

[Fungus]

have you written/published anything on this?

 

Yes, I have, but only in Dutch and on Dutch websites on tree and forest ecology.

The following photo shows a rare example of a Tilia that was struck by lightening.

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[scm]

I'll have to get my friends from Zeist to translate Why is it rare for Tilia to get struck, nitrification aswell?

[treeseer]

I'll have to get my friends from Zeist to translate Why is it rare for Tilia to get struck, nitrification aswell?

 

Perhaps height and location determine frequency, more than anything. How often do Tilia emerge from the canopy?

 

Species susceptibility has been documented in the US, but the data are gained through inventory of old and inadequate samples. The methodology is weak and can mislead imo. The change in mineral composition in and around the tree may be a factor though; no denying that.

[Fungus]

Why is it rare for Tilia to get struck ?

 

I'm just referring to the lack of (reliable) documentations of lightning strikes in old and free standing Tilia in The Netherlands, which I only have observed twice.