Lightning protection in cabled and braced trees

[flushcut]

Should we be installing lightning protection in cabled and braced trees?
We had some bad weather roll through yesterday and one of my custies trees was struck and blew apart. The lead that had one side of the cable shattered completely releasing the cable. So that got me wondering about the fact there is now metal up in the tree acting like a lightning rod. Did it attract lightning? I’m not sure. Any way I thought it might bring some discussion.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I would consider it if steel rope cable is used and if the tree is a lone specimen or taller than some around it. Not that lightening GAS about how tall things are

 

[Nutball]

Did the cable make the tree more prone to a strike? Maybe a little. Would a lightning rod protect a tree, probably.

Sounds like a new service to advertise: lightning rod installation to help protect trees near structures from blowing apart. You just have to make sure it goes high enough that the tree won't out grow it too quickly.

 

[flushcut]

It’s something to consider.