Florida's summer storm season brings frequent thunderstorms, tropical systems, and some of the highest lightning strike frequency in the country. Many property owners assume that if a tree is still standing after a storm, it came through fine. That is not always true.
What lightning does to a tree
A lightning strike can travel down through a tree's trunk and root system, causing damage that is not visible from the outside. Vertical cracks, missing bark in a streak pattern, and hidden internal injuries are all common. Some trees show obvious damage right away. Others appear completely normal for weeks or months before declining or failing.
What wind and heavy rain do
High winds can cause root plate movement even when a tree does not fall, loosening the root system's grip on the soil without an obvious visual sign above ground. Heavy, saturated soil after prolonged rain reduces a tree's anchoring, making it more vulnerable to a subsequent storm even if it survived the first one undamaged.
What to look for after a storm
Look for new leaning, cracked or split limbs, exposed roots, soil heaving near the base, and any sudden change in canopy condition in the days and weeks that follow. A tree near a home, driveway, or other structure deserves a closer look even if nothing looks obviously wrong.
What to do
If a tree was near a lightning strike, showed any storm damage, or is now leaning in a way it was not before, a certified arborist can evaluate the extent of the damage and determine whether the tree can be saved or needs to come down. Waiting to see if symptoms develop is not always the safest option, particularly for trees near structures or high-traffic areas. Our guide on preparing trees for storm season covers steps to take before the next storm arrives.
Arbor Managers provides storm and lightning damage assessments throughout Central Florida. Call us at (352) 414-2454 or request a consultation online.