Protecting Your Trees from Lightning Damage
Tree protection from lightning damage is something that many property owners are interested in, especially if there is a tree with sentimental or historical value. Even if a lightning strike does not completely destroy a tree, the damage that it causes oftentimes leads to its eventual demise. Trees are vulnerable when lightning strikes because of their closer proximity to the sky, but there are ways to prevent damage.
Lightning protection systems can be installed in trees to reduce the risk of damage. These systems are made of actual hardware that is placed on the tree. The hardware includes a copper down lead cable along the trunk of the tree, a copper ground rod that is buried at the base of the tree, and a secure air terminal at the highest point of the tree. Copper nails and bronze fasteners are used to secure all of these components. A properly functioning lightning protection system will neutralize the electric current and protect the tree in the event that lightning strikes it. Improper installation, however, can result in an increased risk of lightning damage, so proper assembly is extremely important. These systems can be purchased at most home supply or specialized tree care stores.