Lightning's powerful flashes are awesome to behold. However, for a tree, these energy streamers pose the risk of damage and death. The core of a lightning bolt can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, causing an air concussion and boiling sap to blow wood fiber apart. And unfortunately for trees, lightning does consistently strike the same place more than once. Lightning damages trees through:   Branches  - broken or cracked        branches   Trunk  - broken or cracked trunks,        stripped bark, wood fiber detachment The links above to "branches" and "trunk" will take you to additional information and photos to identify specific damage to your tree. Lightning caused this tree to blow apart. It has the appearance of branches standing on shredded or chipped wood. Oklahoma 2003 © Veronica Keithley, Cross Timbers Forestry Trunk damage from lightning usually takes one or more of three unique forms: Vertical scar and minor cracking If lightning shears a tree's edge, a vertical scar and crack usually forms. Bark stripping When a minor lightning streamer hits a tree, it may have enough force to partially vaporize the tree sap and blow the bark off part of the tree. Wood fiber detachment This is the most colossal type of damage where steam and air will escape through any opening available, tearing wood fibers apart and blowing off the bark. Determining the extent of damage will take you through the process of evaluating the damage to your tree. Last Updated: