The Power of Nature

How powerful is a lightning strike in the woods? Bill and Joan Hildreth (CHC supporters and members of the Montgomery Woodlots group) were witness to the effects of exactly such a natural phenomenon. After a recent storm, they were walking their trails and came upon a freshly broken part of a tree that looked like it had flown through the air. And in fact, that is exactly what happened. They located the tree that had been struck and it was split right down the center of its trunk with shards of wood scattered all around the forest floor.

How did this happen? Lightning is very hot and can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In a split second the moisture in the tree (sap, water) boils, creates steam, expands, and the tree explodes. The parts of the tree are flung far through the air. All in the blink of an eye.

To be sure, thunder and lightning storms are not a good time to be in the woods.

Photos shared by Joan Hildreth.