Have you ever seen a tree that’s been struck by lightning?

Six months ago, we pruned this magnificent Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) in Adamstown Heights but we got a call from the customer this week after they noticed the tree was not looking well. They asked if Steve could come back to see what was going on.

Steve attended the site, assessed the damage and he could see straight away that the tree had recently being hit by lightening with the entry and exit wounds were clearly visible.

What Lightning Does to a Tree

The burnt electrical patterns, called Lichtenberg figures, were clearly visible scoring the bark of the trunk. The entry wound where the lightning struck and the exit wound where it earthed were both present.

Lightning doesn’t just scorch the outside of a tree. What happens internally is far more destructive.

When a bolt strikes, the enormous electrical charge travels down through the tree seeking the path of least resistance to the ground, often through the water-conducting tissue just beneath the bark. The heat generated is extreme and instantaneous. It literally boils the sap inside the cambium layer, the thin band of living cells responsible for the tree’s growth and the transport of nutrients and water throughout the tree.

When the cambium is destroyed, the tree loses its ability to move sugars from the leaves down to the roots, and water from the roots up to the canopy. The cells die. Growth stops. Vigour disappears. Structural stability is compromised.

This Spotted Gum is showing some regrowth, which tells us it’s fighting, but the prognosis is likely to need the tree to be removed.

What Happens Next for This Tree

The extent of the damage depends on how much of the cambium was destroyed and whether the root system was also affected by the earthing strike.

Steve’s assessment identified several priorities:

• Immediate safety: the structural integrity of the tree needs monitoring. A lightning-struck tree can appear stable while being significantly weakened internally. Any large deadwood in the canopy is now a falling hazard and needs to be addressed.
• Monitoring for secondary infection: the wounds created by a lightning strike are entry points for fungal disease and wood-boring insects. A compromised tree is a vulnerable tree.
• Ongoing assessment: the amount of regrowth over the coming months will tell us more about the tree’s long-term prognosis. If the regrowth is strong and sustained, there is hope. If it stalls, removal may ultimately be the safest option.

Should You Be Worried About Lightning and Your Trees?

Lightning strikes are relatively rare but not as uncommon as people think, tall, isolated trees and trees near water are at higher statistical risk. Spotted Gums, like most eucalypts, are highly conductive due to their moisture content and height.

If you notice sudden or unexplained decline in a tree, particularly after a storm — it’s worth having an arborist assess it sooner rather than later. Early intervention gives the tree the best chance and protects you from the safety risks of a compromised tree going undetected.

About This Case Study

This assessment was carried out by Steve Brown, senior arborist at Waratah Professional Tree Care. Waratah has been providing arborist services across Newcastle and the Hunter Region since 1998. We hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications through Global Compliance Certification

FAQs

Can a tree survive a lightning strike?
Some trees do recover from lightning strikes, particularly if the strike was a glancing blow and the cambium damage is limited to one side of the trunk. Recovery depends on the species, the tree’s overall health before the strike, and how much of the conducting tissue was destroyed. An arborist assessment is essential to determine the prognosis.

How can I tell if my tree has been struck by lightning?
Look for a strip of bark that has been blown off or scorched in a spiral or vertical pattern down the trunk, entry and exit wounds, sudden canopy dieback in the weeks following a storm, and in some cases split wood or shattered branches. The Lichtenberg figure burn patterns on the bark are a telltale sign.

Is a lightning-struck tree dangerous?
Yes — potentially. A tree that has sustained significant internal damage from a lightning strike can fail structurally without obvious external warning signs. If you suspect lightning damage, have the tree assessed by a qualified arborist promptly.

What should I do if I think my tree has been struck by lightning?
Keep people and pets away from the tree until it has been assessed. Contact a qualified arborist as soon as possible. Do not attempt to assess structural damage yourself — internal damage is not always visible externally.

If you have a tree you’re concerned about following storm damage or a lightning strike, Waratah Professional Tree Care offers onsite assessments across Newcastle and the Hunter from $110.
Call us on (02) 4956 6602.