It's probably good you weren't standing under this tree.

If you have ever wondered what Lightning can do to a tree, here is one possible result.
Tom


( photo / image / picture from Calomaar's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from Calomaar's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from Calomaar's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from Calomaar's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from Calomaar's Garden )

 

Makes you sit up straight and pay attention.

 

That would make me want to stand up straight... and RUN!

 

Several years ago, we had lightning hit the top of our 250 year old oak, it ran down the tree and came out the trunk near the ground and blew out a large chunk of bark. The bark landed on the far side of the yard. On other damage to the tree and it is still alive 8 years later.

 

Wow! How close was that to your home?

 

Looks like a bunch of toothpicks. Glad no one was near by. Is that your home in the background?

 

It is amazing what nature can do.

 

Wow! That's scary!

 

This occurred in a neighbors yard, 3 doors away. It is their home in the background, they were sure that the lightning had hit their house. Fortunately, it hit the tree.

 

I wonder what happened to that tree. First thing on my mind was lightning, but wouldn't it have been scarred or charred?

 

So it IS lightning? I thought that lightning would have burned the tree?

 

Well I guess that no one actually saw it happen. But during the night, they, as did quite a few of us, heard the very loud crack, and in the morning there was the tree. I too wondered about the burning, or lack there of. Circumstantial evidence only, but there is no better explanation. There were some strong wind gusts, but why just that tree in the middle of the woods?
Tom

 

I've seen lightning split trees all kinds of way and not catch fire.I'm glad I wasn't near it for sure.