Southern Nights - Security lighting, Architectural lighting, landscape lighting

  1345A Union Hill
  Industrial Court
  Alpharetta, GA
  (800) 669-8270

Tree Lightning Protection

	The principles governing the protection of buildings and other structures from lightning bolts are employed also in safeguarding trees.

	Trees growing in locations favorable for strikes and large, rare, or otherwise valuable trees can be adequately protected at comparatively small cost through professional installation of proper equipment. The major differences in the protection of buildings and trees are the materials used and the methods of installation. Tree protection systems must have flexible cables to allow for the swaying of the trunk and branches, and adjustable units to allow for the tree's growth. A copper-coated air terminal is attached to the highest point in the tree, to which a 32 strand, 17-gauge copper conducting wire is attached.

This conductor is fastened along the trunk with copper nails from the highest reachable point in the tree to the ground, and continuing out; it is attached to a 1/2" or 5/8" ground rod 8 to 10 feet in length which is driven vertically and countersunk into the ground beyond the major root area (generally 25-30 feet or more from the trunk of the tree).

The system should be inspected every few years and the air terminals extended to accommodate the new growth. Other adjustments necessitated by expansion of the tree should also be made.