Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: shabaz
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 2887 views
  • Likes 5 likes
  • Comments 17 comments
Related
Recommended

Possible Lightning Strike - Tree Leaf Post-Analysis

shabaz

The UK has been having really nice (hot) weather recently, although there was a brief rainstorm, and possibly lightning during periods over the last few days.

We have small pear and plum trees, about 15-20 feet high perhaps. Anyway, the leaves looked really strange today : (

I'm not sure, but I'm wondering if lightning caused it. There are large trees from neighbouring properties that are much taller, and close by. There was some scattering of strange leaves in them too, and generally in the same area, i.e. the entire trees do not seem to exhibit the effect, but it is localised. I can't see any burn marks on the ground, but I have not checked the grounds of the neighbouring trees.

Notice the browned leaves:

image

 

More close up:

image

The pears seem disaffected, but the leaves look toasted : (

image

 

image

 

image

A plant at the foot of the tree:

image

A neighbouring tree:

image

Scattered clumps of browned leaves in a neighbouring tree:

image

image

 

image

Closeup of the browned leaves in a neighbouring tree:

image

 

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Do the photos above look like lightning damage, or could something else have caused it?

I'd be interested to hear all thoughts.

Parents

  • I have lived in areas with lots of lightning and trees that were struck had damage where the strike occurred along the trunk to ground.  Entire chunks of bark could be blown out.  I have not seen leaf damage like that in your photos from lightning but that does not mean it is not possible.  You might check for mites or other small insects under your microscope :-).  Also your local plant nursery may know if it is insects or some kind of wilt. 

Comment

  • I have lived in areas with lots of lightning and trees that were struck had damage where the strike occurred along the trunk to ground.  Entire chunks of bark could be blown out.  I have not seen leaf damage like that in your photos from lightning but that does not mean it is not possible.  You might check for mites or other small insects under your microscope :-).  Also your local plant nursery may know if it is insects or some kind of wilt. 

Children