Lightening makes for poor firewood??

[Bogoak]

I've just read elsewhere, that wood from a tree struck by lightening, doesn't burn well:confused1: has anyone heard of this, or had experience? Does anyone have an explanation? It sounds like myth and magic to me, but interesting nonetheless.

 

Oh, and the assumption is that all else ( moisture % etc ) is equal.

[Stubby]

I have heard this over the years too . Never experimented ( knowingly ) but can only think that the bits already " burnt " by the lightning have nothing left to give ?

[Billhook]

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19590316&id=2X5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=U7MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4172,2333370&hl=en

 

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/cutting-tree-after-lightning-strike.135122/

 

Seems a bit like old wives tales for ordinary trees but others may know better!

[renewablejohn]

I've just read elsewhere, that wood from a tree struck by lightening, doesn't burn well:confused1: has anyone heard of this, or had experience? Does anyone have an explanation? It sounds like myth and magic to me, but interesting nonetheless.

 

Oh, and the assumption is that all else ( moisture % etc ) is equal.

 

Same process as flash kiln drying. Outer cells are scorched leaving wet inner cells which cannot release moisture through the natural drying process. Therefore lightning wood is difficult to burn.

 

Your problem would be your assumption as the outer surface would be under 20% MC but your sealed inner could be 40% MC.

Edited January 26, 2016 by renewablejohn

[matelot]

Perhaps when the lightening hits it heats the tree to such an extent it vaporises some of the products in the wood that burn?

[skyhuck]

Same process as flash kiln drying. Outer cells are scorched leaving wet inner cells which cannot release moisture through the natural drying process. Therefore lightning wood is difficult to burn.

 

Your problem would be your assumption as the outer surface would be under 20% MC but your sealed inner could be 40% MC.

 

Surely cutting and splitting allows drying??

[renewablejohn]

Surely cutting and splitting allows drying??

 

Not really as the structure has been altered by the lightning from long shards which moisture can travel down to a marble effect where the wood cells are fused together.

[timbernut]

I've been told this a few times by people who've tried to burn , but a few years ago I logged n flogged a whole, massive oak pollard that had been shattered by lightning. All 18m3 went to the same place and they air dried it 18mths and it burned fine (well they still buy logs off me 😀)

[Bogoak]

Hmm, interesting thanks. The wood in question was Ash, strangely enough; that reckons to burn wet:confused1:.