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Some of the following images on this webpage show the after effects of a tree that was struck by a bolt of lightning during a severe thunderstorm that occured around 6:00pm on Thursday, 6th December 2007. At the time of the lightning strike, the wind was still at a strong, severe level and we had just got a shower of pea-sized hail (10mm / 1 cm / 0.03 inch) when the lightning strike occurred, I have never seen a bolt of lightning hit the ground or an object that close to the house on the property before (I was standing on the house verandah watching the storm, some 150 metres from the tree, and I was looking directly at it when it happened). I can only describe the sound of the lightning strike similar to a sizzling, crack of a bullwhip, or similar the sound of a .22 cal bullet going overhead rather than your normal everyday lightning / thunder type rumble or BANG !!!
The tree is a type of Native Australian Eucalypt, commonly refered to as an "Apple" Gum (botanical name = eucalyptus bridgesiana). This type of Eucalypt tree is very common in amongst the other Eucalypt's that populate the light to medium density, dry "Sclerophyll" forested areas of the lower altitude parts of the Northern Tablelands and the North-West Slopes and Plains areas of the Northern - New England Region of Northern - New South Wales. The tree is locally known to contain vast amounts of water within it's sapwood, just beneath it's thick "cork" like bark and also within it's soft "Balsa" like main wood, The weight and grain of the wood is very similar in structure to "Balsa" model aeroplane making wood. The branches of the trees are also very well known locally to break off very easily in severe thunderstorms or during times of high "gale force" type winds. Thick slices from the main tree trunk are favored by butcher's for use as chopping blocks.
Notice in the highest part of the tree in the foreground, all the affected leaves have turned brown and are dead.
A closer view, and if you look closely you will see some detail of the "de-barked" trunk.
Part of the "de-barked" trunk, in slightly greater detail. You can clearly see the track the lightning took running down the left hand (Western) side of the trunk as it met up with the "step leader" on it's way to grounding / earthing out.
Another view of the "de-barked" trunk, taken from the Western side of the tree.
Another view of the "de-barked" trunk, looking up from directly beneath the tree.
2:15am Christmas Eve Storm at Nullamanna, North-West Slopes and Plains, North-Western NSW.
2:15am Christmas Eve Storm at Nullamanna, North-West Slopes and Plains, North-Western NSW.
Lightning over the Myall Ranges, Watagan National Park, Quorrobolong, Hunter Valley, NSW.
Lightning over the Brokenback Ranges, Near Mount View, Hunter Valley, NSW.
All images are © Copyright 2003 - 2008 , Michael P E Cole ~ All Rights Reserved