Lightning strikes can be devastating to trees, often causing significant damage or even death. However, with proper tree care, there’s often hope for recovery. As an ISA Master Certified Arborist (BCMA #TX-3737B), I want to share essential steps to help your tree heal and thrive, emphasizing the critical role of beneficial microbes both in the soil, and on the above-ground plant parts of the tree!
Immediate Steps After Lightning Strikes Your Tree
When lightning hits a tree, it can cause immediate and visible damage, or the effects may appear over time. Here’s what you need to do right away:
1. **Safety First**: Ensure the area is safe before approaching the tree. Lightning can leave a residual charge that could be dangerous. Sometimes limbs can be dislodged leaving a precarious situation. If you have any safety concerns, call in a qualified Tree Service, preferably one with qualified Certified Arborist (s) or Master Arborists
2. **Assess the Damage**: Look for signs of injury, such as split bark or branches. If the tree poses a hazard, contact a professional tree service immediately. This kind of goes along the same lines as safety, but especially so if there is split tree tissue as a strong wind can dislodge remaining sections of tree.
3. **Water Generously**: As the lightning strikes the tree, it heats up nearly instantaneously, causing water to boil and evaporate. Trees struck by lightning need hydration! Watering your tree helps minerals chelate and get taken up by the tree, which helps the tree maintain its vital functions and supports the recovery of soil microbes.
Supporting Soil Microbes for Tree Recovery
The high temperatures from a lightning strike can kill the beneficial microbes in the soil. These microbes play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and supporting tree health. Here’s how to support them:
1. **Microbial and Bio-stimulant Complete Fertilization**: After ensuring the tree is stable, apply a microbial-boosting fertilizer to replenish and restore the soil’s microbe population. at Arborist on Demand, we love the brand MicroLife, not only because they are made right here in our home town of Houston, TX, but also because they really are the best that we’ve found over the years! We’ve even modelled a few of our products after theirs because they work so well
2. **Regular Watering**: Keep the soil moist to aid microbial activity and nutrient uptake. It’s really important to water regularly, but make sure the soil has plenty of time dry out prior to re-irrigating, otherwise you can cause pathogens to spread and make the situation worse.
3. **Mulching**: Apply organic mulch and compost around the base of the tree, maintaining at least 6″ of distance to keep from trapping moisture against the woody tissue. This provides a habitat for and protects the beneficial microbes and retain soil moisture. Make sure to go no more than 1″-2″ thick on the mulch, and just a thin layer of compost (1/4″ or so) to help add beneficial micobes!
Long-Term Tree Care
Recovery from a lightning strike can take time. Here are long-term care tips:
1. **Pruning**: Remove damaged branches to prevent disease and pests. An ISA Certified Arborist or ISA Board Certified Master Arborist can help determine which branches to prune for the tree’s health
2. **Monitoring**: Keep an eye on the tree’s health and growth. Changes can indicate the tree’s recovery or the need for additional care. The textbooks all say to wait 1 year prior to performing any type of treatment on a lightning struck tree. However, I’ve found that it’s critical to restore the beneficial microbes on both the above and below-ground plant parts
3. **Soil Testing**: Regular soil tests can help monitor nutrient levels and ensure the soil environment supports beneficial microbes. Make sure you’re not over applying chemical nitrogen, as this can have a negative affect on the beneficial microbes and disrupt the metabolic systems within the soil! Organic, gentle nitrogen sources are always preferred.
Conclusion
A lightning strike doesn’t always mean the end for your tree. With the right tree care, from a REPUTABLE Tree Service, with at least one Certified Arborist on hand, you can often help your tree recover and continue to grow, even if lighting hits your tree. Remember, the health of the tree, the soil and its beneficial microbes (both above and below ground) is just as important as the making sure to fertilize your tree after a lightning strike damages your tree. For professional assistance, contact a certified arborist with a reputable tree service to guide you through the recovery process.
My Best,
Matt Latham – 713.385.7040
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #TX-3737B
Member – American Society of Consulting Arborists
info@arboristondemand.org
www.arboristondemand.org
#certifiedarborist, #treeservice, #treecare, #lightningstrikestree
