How Lightning Protection Works to Protect Texas Trees

According to National Geographic, a single lightning bolt “can contain up to one billion volts of electricity.” When that kind of energy is surging through a tree, it’s no wonder lightning can do a lot of damage. Lighting can start fires, blow out windows, kill electrical equipment, and even fragment concrete. The damage caused by a single strike can mean the end for old and historic trees. That’s why it’s vital to protect Texas trees from lightning strikes.

How We Help Protect Trees From Lightning Strikes

Older trees are at a higher risk of suffering from a lightning strike. Trees that sit higher than those around them or are in an isolated position on their own are more likely to suffer a strike. Additionally, if a tree is struck once, it’s more likely to be struck again (so lightning really can strike twice!). Fortunately, there are several things that can mitigate the potential damage of a lightning strike. Lightning prevention products and services might include:

• Lightning rods. A well-known lightning protection device, these rods stick up into the air and work to give the lightning a “safe” point of contact on the tree.
• Cable conductors. These cables move the energy from the lightning from the rod and down to the ground, where it can disperse.
• Ground rods. Buried into the ground around the tree, the rods provide a path for the lightning into the earth.
• Surge protection devices. These devices protect your electrical equipment from the sudden surge of electricity the building may experience in case of a lightning strike on a nearby tree.

For those trees that have been hit by lightning, it’s considered a life changing event. It is important to treat the tree with Treesentials, Advanced Tree & Shrub Care Inc.’s protection plan to upgrade health and vigor and monitor its progress.

The right lightning protection is going to be slightly different for every tree and situation, so it’s important that you work with an experienced Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) designer who is a Board Certified Master Arborist. They’ll be able to customize a protection plan based on your landscaping needs.

Are You Confident That Your Historic Tree Has the Right Lightning Protection?

Wondering if your tree has the right lightning protection in place? The team at Advanced Tree & Shrub Care, Inc. can make sure. We have many years of experience designing lightning protection systems for trees. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your lightning protection needs and how we can help.