Today in Nature: How Lightning Strikes

A tree hit by lightning

August 11th: A tree in High Park that looks like it was felled by lightning some years ago. Lightning causes any moisture in the tree to boil along the vertical path of the bolt. The result is often explosive, drawing a straight line down one side of the tree, and blowing off the bark. That opening is often fatal to the tree, as bark is like skin - it keeps out parasites, as well as water that can freeze and thaw, weakening the tree. This tree was at the highest point in this part of the park.

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