Blue Spruce hit by lightning in Summer of 2022 - Ask Extension
We have a blue spruce that was struck by lightning in the summer/fall of 2022. A large 'scar' was left on the trunk. Now, Spring of 2023, the tree...
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Blue Spruce hit by lightning in Summer of 2022 #830649
Asked May 17, 2023, 9:43 PM EDT
We have a blue spruce that was struck by lightning in the summer/fall of 2022. A large 'scar' was left on the trunk. Now, Spring of 2023, the tree is looking pretty good. Should I do anything to protect the 'scar' on the trunk - any protective therapy? The tree is at 8200 ft in southern Jefferson County and 'stands' alone (not in a group of trees) with good drainage and in a sunny spot.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question and your awesome pictures.
Trees are pretty great at healing their own wounds. They compartmentalize the wound and keep right on growing.
Trees are commonly wounded. Wounds usually break the bark and damage the food- (phloem or inner bark) and water- (xylem or wood) conducting tissues. Wounds also expose the inside of the tree to organisms, primarily bacteria and fungi that may infect and cause discoloration and decay of the wood. Decay can result in structurally weakened tree stems and unsightly trees and can shorten the life of a tree. Decay in a tree cannot be cured. However, proper tree care can limit the progress of decay in an injured tree.
If you look at an old wound (on a different tee), you will notice that it does not “heal” from the inside out, but eventually the tree covers the opening by forming specialized “callus” tissue around the edges of the wound. After wounding, new wood growing around the wound forms a protective boundary preventing the infection or decay from spreading into the new tissue. Thus, the tree responds to the injury by “compartmentalizing” or isolating the older, injured tissue with the gradual growth of new, healthy tissue.
Research indicates that wound dressings (materials such as tar or paint) do not prevent decay and may even interfere with wound closure. Wound dressings can have the following detrimental effects. • Prevent drying and encourage fungal growth • Interfere with formation of wound wood or callus tissue • Inhibit compartmentalization • Possibly serve as a food source for pathogens Wound dressings do not stop decay or prevent entrance of decay mechanisms. Covering wounds with sealants inhibits oxidative processes, which in turn will reduce callus formation and compartmentalization. For these reasons, applying wound dressings is not recommended. Trees, like many organisms, have their own mechanisms to deter the spread of decay organisms, insects and disease.
A healthy tree will usually recover from wounding quickly. Try to keep your tree growing vigorously by watering it during droughts and providing proper fertilization. This will increase the rate of wound closure, enhance callus growth and improve the resistance to decay mechanisms.
Below is a link provided by University of Minnesota Extension regarding proper fertilizing for evergreens.
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/fertilizing-evergreens#how-much-fertilizer-to-use-1340012
Trees are pretty great at healing their own wounds. They compartmentalize the wound and keep right on growing.
Trees are commonly wounded. Wounds usually break the bark and damage the food- (phloem or inner bark) and water- (xylem or wood) conducting tissues. Wounds also expose the inside of the tree to organisms, primarily bacteria and fungi that may infect and cause discoloration and decay of the wood. Decay can result in structurally weakened tree stems and unsightly trees and can shorten the life of a tree. Decay in a tree cannot be cured. However, proper tree care can limit the progress of decay in an injured tree.
If you look at an old wound (on a different tee), you will notice that it does not “heal” from the inside out, but eventually the tree covers the opening by forming specialized “callus” tissue around the edges of the wound. After wounding, new wood growing around the wound forms a protective boundary preventing the infection or decay from spreading into the new tissue. Thus, the tree responds to the injury by “compartmentalizing” or isolating the older, injured tissue with the gradual growth of new, healthy tissue.
Research indicates that wound dressings (materials such as tar or paint) do not prevent decay and may even interfere with wound closure. Wound dressings can have the following detrimental effects. • Prevent drying and encourage fungal growth • Interfere with formation of wound wood or callus tissue • Inhibit compartmentalization • Possibly serve as a food source for pathogens Wound dressings do not stop decay or prevent entrance of decay mechanisms. Covering wounds with sealants inhibits oxidative processes, which in turn will reduce callus formation and compartmentalization. For these reasons, applying wound dressings is not recommended. Trees, like many organisms, have their own mechanisms to deter the spread of decay organisms, insects and disease.
A healthy tree will usually recover from wounding quickly. Try to keep your tree growing vigorously by watering it during droughts and providing proper fertilization. This will increase the rate of wound closure, enhance callus growth and improve the resistance to decay mechanisms.
Below is a link provided by University of Minnesota Extension regarding proper fertilizing for evergreens.
https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/fertilizing-evergreens#how-much-fertilizer-to-use-1340012
