Have heard over the years that a tree struck by lightning wouldn't burn. This has been told to me by numerous people of all ages. I have proved the theory wrong since I have burned many cords of lightning struck wood. Just wondering if anyone else has ever heard this old wise tale or knows maybe its origin???
Lightning struck trees
- Thread starter Tripled's
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Isn't lightning striking trees the #1 cause of Forest Fires?:monkey:
Isn't lightning striking trees the #1 cause of Forest Fires?:monkey:
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avalancher
Arboristsite Raconteur
I have heard that several times around here from the locals, and have even been questioned by several folks when delivering firewood.They wanted to make sure I cut the tree down with a saw instead of calling in an airstrike.
savageactor7
ArboristSite Guru
That's what I always thought as well.
lol like i said an old wise tale I guess. Maybe its just some local thing. I've been told that 3 times now that I can think of while cutting a struck tree that it wouldn't burn because of it being struck. No leg pullin involved. They all wanted some of the firewood being cut until they found that out then didn't want anything to do with it. Had to find out if anyone else was hearin this anywhere else around.
DJ4wd
ArboristSite Operative
I used to live down in ole MS,and never heard it but hey I didnt know evryone. Im going to hunt some lighting struck wood.
loadthestove
ArboristSite Guru
Have heard the same tale around here..
BlueRidgeMark
Addicted to ArboristSite
They wanted to make sure I cut the tree down with a saw instead of calling in an airstrike.
Now thet raht thar is funny, ah don' care hoo yew are!
Avalancher, you do have a way with words!
You remind me of Lawdog!
gandrimp
ArboristSite Member
I've heard it around here also.
howellhandmade
Addicted to ArboristSite
Not only will it burn, a certain amount of it hits the ground already split into kindling. 
It's amazing what people believe, but it's the human psychological trait of persistence at work. We will form a belief or opinion based on scant to no evidence, but once that belief is formed practically no evidence is sufficient to overturn it.
Jack
It's amazing what people believe, but it's the human psychological trait of persistence at work. We will form a belief or opinion based on scant to no evidence, but once that belief is formed practically no evidence is sufficient to overturn it.
Jack
Well, if it does burn you better have a left-handed smoke shifter to take care of the extra smoke.
gandrimp
ArboristSite Member
I have always wondered if maybe the old timers said this to keep people from cutting a tree that might "explode" so to speak. I have a neighbor with a tree about a hundred yards from my house he said I could have. Its about 20 ft tall now, and at eye level you can see through it all the way around. So basically its 20 ft tooth picks. Not interested I told him.
loadthestove
ArboristSite Guru
Booshcat
ArboristSite Operative
I have also heard that if you can see the spot where the charge hit the ground on the trunk, and you dig down a little, you can sometimes find a glob of glass. This is from the lightning fusing dirt and sand together with the high temps.
Never found one myself, but I'm still looking.
Never found one myself, but I'm still looking.
songofthewood
ArboristSite Operative
Lighting struck tree= pre seasoned wood!:jawdrop:
jrjuday
ArboristSite Operative
By the way, the proper phrase is "old WIVE'S tale", not to be confused with "old wive's tail."
