Lightning Strike Cottonwood

I came across this tree last summer. There was a lot of bark on the ground that seemed to be stripped by the lightning strike. It is interesting to watch the results of this event. I watched a Kentucky Coffee tree a few years ago after it was hit by lightning and it ended up dying in a couple of years.

Even when disaster strikes us we have victory in Jesus. 

Romans 8:37-39

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, 

nor angels, nor principalities, 

nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God, 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Lightening Shreds Wood Fibers

Walking in a park I saw a tree scared by lightening. Looking closer I noticed the wood fibers were shreded and seperated down the path of the strike. The tempature of lightening can reach 50,000 degrees F. Yet when you look at the wood, there is no sign of being burned.

Lightening Strike

Here is an American Sycamore that has been struck by lightening.

Life after Lightening Strike

Kentucky Coffee tree lives on, 2 years after lightening strike.




I came across this Kentucky Coffee tree on my lunch today. The tree was hit by lightening a couple of years ago. The top photo shows that one branch is still living. Below the strip of bark surviving is still getting nutrients to the tree.

I first came to this tree in May 2009. The tree had just been struck by lightening. A squirrel was laying dead next to the tree.  So the tree continues to survive. Part of its survival is based on the Park department not cutting the tree down.



Here is the link that will show my past posts on Kentucky Coffee trees.

Even when disaster strikes, let us not give up on life. There is much to enjoy. With Jesus we can be an encouragement to others.

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.