9. Lightning Strikes Can Heal Trees
Although lightning is usually connected with destruction, new research shows a startling positive impact on trees. A superheated channel created by lightning striking a tree can inflict major damage through the trunk. But this same procedure can also sterilise the impacted region, eradicating dangerous fungus and bacteria that might otherwise compromise the tree’s condition. The great heat can also cause the sap of the tree to boil and swell, producing pressure that drives out invading insects and their larvae. Sometimes by removing pests and diseases, this natural “fumigation” mechanism might actually help the tree live for longer. Scientists are investigating this phenomena presently in order to create fresh, eco-friendly approaches for treating sick trees and defending forests from invading species. This finding questions our ideas of what constitutes “destructive” forces in nature and emphasises the intricate and sometimes surprising ways in which natural events could affect ecosystems.