How to Save a Tree Struck by Lightning
The sudden crack of lightning slicing through the sky is quite dramatic as it is, but it can be downright horrifying if it hits a tree in your garden.
One moment, your oak or maple is standing tall, and the next, it’s looking like it was caught in a fiery tangle.
While the damage can look catastrophic, all is not lost. With some careful attention and timely action, many trees can recover and continue to thrive.
Here’s how to give your leafy friends the best chance to bounce back stronger than before.
Assess the Damage
Lightning can wreak all sorts of havoc on your garden. Some signs of damage are more obvious than others, so start by carefully inspecting your tree from top to bottom.
Check the trunk closely for scorched or split bark, broken branches, or blackened foliage.
To cover all the bases, you’ll need to check for root damage as well. Look for unusual bumps in the ground, cracked soil, or burnt patches.
Take notes and photos as you go. They’ll come in handy if you need advice from a specialist later.
Beyond what meets the eye, lightning can compromise the tree’s long-term health. So, tap the trunk gently to gauge whether your tree has sustained internal damage. Hollow sounds often hint at hidden injuries.
However, while this might reveal some irregularities, it’s not a completely reliable test. If you’re worried about your green companions, have a qualified arborist take a look at them. With specialised tools, like sonic tomography, they can assess their internal health more accurately.
Check How the Tree Is Holding Up
Not every tree will pull through. It mostly depends on its age, species, and extent of the damage. Young oaks and resilient species, like honey locusts, often weather strikes better than older elms.
The state of the bark is also a determining factor. If more than half remains around the trunk, your tree has a fighting chance. But if lightning has stripped the bark all the way around, recovery can be rather tricky.
Even if the canopy looks fine, damaged roots can be fatal. In some cases, sending tissue samples to a lab can reveal the real impact.
Alternatively, an on-site assessment by an experienced arborist will help you determine whether the tree can realistically be saved.
Prune Damaged Limbs
Once you get the full picture, it’s time to tidy up. Snip away shattered or hazardous branches with clean, sharp tools, but don’t overdo it. Otherwise, you may end up weakening the entire structure and hindering the tree’s natural resilience.
While quick intervention boosts recovery chances, you shouldn’t prune during wet or windy weather, as this will only stress your plants further.
If the branches are unstable or the damage is extensive, tree surgery services are there to the rescue. Certified arborists can safely tackle complex pruning and provide targeted treatments that support long-term recovery.
Treat the Wound
Lightning wounds need gentle care, so take your time when tending to them. Start by cleaning the damaged area with sterilised tools. Remove any splinters, but leave firmly attached bark in place to support natural healing.
Don’t fall for the hype of commercial dressings. Though they may seem like a handy solution, they often trap moisture and encourage decay.
Instead, let the wounds breathe, and only consider antifungal treatments if you spot signs of infection.
Healing takes time, so you’ll need to be patient. As new tissue starts forming around the edges, keep a watchful eye for spreading dark patches, unusual odours, or persistent sap flow. These warning signs may require professional intervention.
Provide Enough Water and Nutrients
Even after the storm has passed, your tree isn’t out of the woods just yet. A struck tree is like a patient recovering from surgery. It needs consistent care to regain its strength.
Once you’ve assessed and treated the immediate damage, it’s time to support its recovery from the ground up. Keep the soil damp but not soggy, watering in a broad circle around the roots so each one gets a fair share.
Next, you need to supplement it with essential nutrients. Feed it gradually with slow-release fertiliser, starting with half the recommended dose to avoid overwhelming the already stressed plant.
Finally, add a protective layer of mulch around the base, around 6–8 cm thick, but keep it a few centimetres away from the trunk. This natural blanket helps lock in moisture, stabilises soil temperature, and slowly feeds the roots as it breaks down.
Monitor for Pests and Diseases
Lightning-hit trees are more vulnerable to insects and diseases, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on them. Check the bark weekly for tiny holes or sawdust at the base. Both point to the presence of pests.
If you notice sticky sap or premature leaf browning, this may indicate decay setting in.
To keep these issues from spiralling out of control, start with gentle solutions before resorting to harsher chemicals. Eco-friendly options, like organic sprays or beneficial insects, often keep problems in check without harming the tree’s natural defences.
However, if you notice a sudden decline or anything that leaves you uncertain, it would be wise to seek professional guidance.
Prevent Future Damage
While you can’t control lightning, you can make your garden less of a target. Think of it as giving your trees insurance coverage.
Lightning rods are a handy solution. They can protect your prized trees by safely channelling electricity into the ground instead of letting it run through the trunk.
If the worst happens again, good tree placement and maintenance can reduce the risk of damage. To limit exposure, try not to overcrowd your plantings and keep tall branches in check with regular pruning.
When adding new saplings, consider their surroundings carefully. Avoid exposed high points and wide-open spaces where lightning is most likely to strike. While nearby trees can provide some shelter from wind and sun, they don’t guarantee lightning protection.
Conclusion
Even after a sudden flash of nature’s fury, plants have a remarkable way of healing—a true testament to their enduring strength and resilience.
With some careful attention and professional help when needed, you can nurse a lightning-struck tree back to health.
It may take a little while, but before long, those branches will be stretching high again, daring the sky to try them.
