Revisit Lightening Strike tree

A revisit of the Kentucky Coffee Tree that was struck by lightening shows that the tree is effectively dead. There are a few leaves on a couple of branches But the tree is a goner. The last post showing the photos below was on 22 May 2009.


Here is a Kentucky Coffee tree that was recently struck by lightening. The bark that peeled off the tree is on top of the grass. There is a dead squirrel next to the tree that apparently was killed by the strike.


Why did the lightening go down the trunk in a spiral?


How much of a chance does this tree have in surviving this strike? I have read in books that trees can survive but it will be a tree that I want to revisit in future years.






Notice the feather compound leaves. They are double compound.