Monsoon season is one of the most exciting times in the Sonoran Desert. After all, the late afternoon storms bring much-needed rain and thrilling displays of lightning. While lightning is beautiful to watch from a safe location, it can cause serious damage if it strikes one of the trees on your property.
How does lightning damage trees?
When a bolt of lightning strikes a tree, the electricity causes the water inside the tree to turn into gas. This reaction causes the tree’s outer layers to explode. After a lightning strike, you will likely see that the tree has a large chunk of bark missing. The damage caused by lightning kills many trees right away. Those that survive a lightning strike may be more susceptible to death later on due to infections that enter the tree through the damaged area.
What should I do after a tree is struck?
After a tree is struck by lightning, the first thing that you should do is get in touch with a certified arborist. Avoid inspecting the damage yourself, especially immediately after the strike. The area around the tree may still be electrically charged, and you may also be putting yourself at risk of injury from falling tree limbs or additional lightning strikes. When the arborist arrives, they will be able to inspect the tree, and give you an overview of the extent of the damage. If the tree is still alive, the arborist will give it extra water and nutrients to help it recover from the damage. The arborist may also recommend pruning the damaged sections of the tree.
When you work with Complete Landscaping, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the best landscaping services in Tucson. Our certified arborists provide expert tree care services, including inspection and treatment of lightning-struck trees. Get in touch with our Tucson landscaping team by calling (520) 323-8918.