How to Protect Trees from Lightning

Lightning is a bolt of electricity produced between the ground and clouds or within clouds. The electrical discharge makes its way to the ground and can pass through any structure, including trees. It can lead to the death of the tree or seriously hamper its growth. There is a way to protect trees from lightning, however.

The tree lightning protection system installed on trees helps can protect trees by providing a safe pathway for the electrical discharge to pass through to the ground. These systems can be used on any tree within the property, whether standing alone, near a structure, or among other trees.

How Do Lightning Protection Systems Work?

Lightning protection systems are installed at the top of the tree and utilize copper conductors that run through the main branches and trunk to beyond the root zone. When lightning strikes, the current is transported to the ground through the conductors, which leaves the trees unharmed.

If one has sheltered under a tree that gets struck by lightning but has a protection system, they do not get hurt by the high voltage running through the conductor. The same happens to animals that are sheltered by the tree.

Do You Need Tree Lightning Protection?

Yes, you need to protect your tree from lightning. While some parts of the country get more lightning strikes than others due to weather changes, any part of the country can experience the same. It is good that you protect your precious trees from such an eventuality.

There is a misconception that lightning cannot strike the same structure twice. Unfortunately, it can strike more than once if the area experiences regular lightning strikes. Therefore, if you have experienced a lightning strike in the past, you may still consider installing lightning protection.

Contact Advanced Tree & Shrub Care to learn more about lightning protection systems for trees and how they can protect your precious trees from damage.