how to heal a tree from lightning strike??

19 years ago

My mature (10m) Lillypilly suffered a lightning strike about 2 years ago (we werent resident at the time, so only now diagnosed). It is now not looking good - lots of branches dying back, a big unhealed patch at the base of the tree, without bark. Ants and termites have moved in, though only to a limited degree... and the water table is dropping. I have applied osmocote at about 1m depth in holes around the rain fall line, and seasol, and am giving it plenty of water, but no real result. Any suggestions much appreciated...

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Comments (5)

popi_gw
18 years ago
How is your tree now ?

You posted this in Feb, so I guess you can see, now, if the results of your treatment where successful or not.
blackolive
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Popi
The tree is ok.... it divides about 1m up from the ground, and then divides again, and the trunk that was struck is slowing dying I think, but the other sub-trunks are ok.

It is a slow process - the branches from the struck trunk are all slowing losing their leaves, and every now and again I have to climb up and cut them down. The large scar where the strike leapt from the tree to the ground is getting bigger and is moving upwards, and I dont know when that will stop and the bark will heal on the edges. But I think the rest of the tree will live.

I suspect that if it were a tree with mostly a single trunk, the shock would have damaged much more of the lower area and probably it would die. But some continued care and plenty of water should take care of it.. this summer though will be the test.

thanks for asking.
Phil.
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Liatris
18 years ago
Hi Phil. Is it an option to cut the affected branch off, below where it was damaged?
blackolive
Original Author
18 years ago
not really - It looks as though several high branches were struck (dont really know how lightening works, but I think that it can travel outside the tree, or inside in the trees vascular system - both are damaging, but inside travel more so). In my case, I suspect the strike hit several high branches and ran down the outside ofthe tree, then grounded (which is where the large scar now is). All I can do it cut back the dying high branches and try to feed the rest of the tree. the scar keeps getting bigger and higher though...
moreton
18 years ago
Hi Blackolive,
Sorry to say your lillypilly sounds like it may become a widowmaker, without getting an ultrasound examination of the trunk and major branches, the tree will always have that unknown dangers of collape of the tree at any time.
The parts of the tree that are dead or dying are left open to attack by white ants, borers, disease, rot etc,will be hanging there just waiting for an opportunity to fail and the tree to collapse at some un oppertune time in the future, possible with someone climing the tree or sitting near the tree and being injured by the tree falling.
IF IN DOUBT CUT IT OUT ???? Please be saftey minded of yourself and others that may use the area around the tree.
A ticking time bomb possibly. You can always get a new tree, but if it falls on some one or something, maybe abit harder to replace. Good luck Peter r

how to heal a tree from lightning strike??

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how to heal a tree from lightning strike??

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popi_gw

blackoliveOriginal Author

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Liatris

blackoliveOriginal Author

moreton

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blackolive
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blackolive
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