Yes, Ken, in Uruguay I saw a massive trunk that was cut up and revealed a lightning strike had hit that tree. It wasn’t a centered strike, but more towards the earlier surface. Not all lightning strikes will kill a tree. That really depends on the conductivity of the wood. What time of the year. Dry spells, or wet spells make all the difference. Soil composition, too. As I was struck by lightning in Uruguay, too, I can attest to the chances of not being done in completely. And I would never again water a thousand Cannababies with electrolytes noticing any thunder nearby.
Something else I discovered was much more mundane. There was a slab cut out of a tree trunk that showed a rock inside. Someone must have place a rock into the crown of a young tree and the tree grew it in, so to speak. That was funny and also boggling that the cut did not go into the rock, but scraping by to reveal its existence. I should have a picture of it in my now messed up library. I’ll look for it.
I think this tree got struck - severely - but then it tried to buffer itself - and it was succeeding in this or it had for many years. The lower part of the tree was where the tree sent its supportive growth up - and after the fact I know this now - this tree was fine. The arborist got it wrong - and I wanted them to share some probabilities on their assessment - but that was not forthcoming. The one arborist took a rubber hammer and hit along the base of the tree to maybe discern the "emptiness" in any given area - oh how wrong that arborist was - I know now after the fact.
Regardless - the tree is down - it was a masterpiece work of art how they operated the crane - and then the logs left behind and now I got some good quality lumber - home grown - and I hope to have more.
Life in the big city I reckon - I think though the fact this tree was evidently struck by lightening that the wood it has reflects that and has higher value!
~
Who knows how this ends up and unfolds - but I'm learning all along the way.
I would expect these "mobile sawmills" demand a high level of maintenance to keep operational. I appreciate professional work - and I had a good time yesterday assisting on the job - that is just the kind of fella I am!
The fella is coming back next week I think to get the other two logs - I told him - we need to have a "better plan" to get those logs in place - and once they are - I will sit back and let him get into his woodwork "flow" - cause that is talent.
WOW, stunning work Ken and now what next? That's a lot of special wood which I too would treat with great reverance. I'm sure you don't need this advice but worth a thought maybe?
P&S - Thanks for that link - I've got a lot to learn and can use all the help I can find - but I do get pleasure out of saving things of value - like this Big Ole Heritage tree was. It would have been a shame to have them just "haul it away", and now whatever the wood gets used for, it will be special cause the wood came from a fine tree in our yard probably about 150 years old I'm guessing. I didn't want to take it down but it was a "risk-based" choice. Now what it done is done and I want to honor this tree by putting its remnants to good use - respectfully.
Can't include a picture here. Will note you one for laughs.
I should add - I have added a two videos to this article - and one thing I'm wondering is if a tree struck by lightening has special wood?
Yes, Ken, in Uruguay I saw a massive trunk that was cut up and revealed a lightning strike had hit that tree. It wasn’t a centered strike, but more towards the earlier surface. Not all lightning strikes will kill a tree. That really depends on the conductivity of the wood. What time of the year. Dry spells, or wet spells make all the difference. Soil composition, too. As I was struck by lightning in Uruguay, too, I can attest to the chances of not being done in completely. And I would never again water a thousand Cannababies with electrolytes noticing any thunder nearby.
Something else I discovered was much more mundane. There was a slab cut out of a tree trunk that showed a rock inside. Someone must have place a rock into the crown of a young tree and the tree grew it in, so to speak. That was funny and also boggling that the cut did not go into the rock, but scraping by to reveal its existence. I should have a picture of it in my now messed up library. I’ll look for it.
I think this tree got struck - severely - but then it tried to buffer itself - and it was succeeding in this or it had for many years. The lower part of the tree was where the tree sent its supportive growth up - and after the fact I know this now - this tree was fine. The arborist got it wrong - and I wanted them to share some probabilities on their assessment - but that was not forthcoming. The one arborist took a rubber hammer and hit along the base of the tree to maybe discern the "emptiness" in any given area - oh how wrong that arborist was - I know now after the fact.
Regardless - the tree is down - it was a masterpiece work of art how they operated the crane - and then the logs left behind and now I got some good quality lumber - home grown - and I hope to have more.
Life in the big city I reckon - I think though the fact this tree was evidently struck by lightening that the wood it has reflects that and has higher value!
~
Who knows how this ends up and unfolds - but I'm learning all along the way.
Warm Regards,
Ken
I would expect these "mobile sawmills" demand a high level of maintenance to keep operational. I appreciate professional work - and I had a good time yesterday assisting on the job - that is just the kind of fella I am!
The fella is coming back next week I think to get the other two logs - I told him - we need to have a "better plan" to get those logs in place - and once they are - I will sit back and let him get into his woodwork "flow" - cause that is talent.
Respectfully - let me post this:
https://substack.com/@wew777/note/c-113182885
WOW, stunning work Ken and now what next? That's a lot of special wood which I too would treat with great reverance. I'm sure you don't need this advice but worth a thought maybe?
https://woodinspo.com/top-woodworking-techniques-for-crafting-with-wood/
P&S - Thanks for that link - I've got a lot to learn and can use all the help I can find - but I do get pleasure out of saving things of value - like this Big Ole Heritage tree was. It would have been a shame to have them just "haul it away", and now whatever the wood gets used for, it will be special cause the wood came from a fine tree in our yard probably about 150 years old I'm guessing. I didn't want to take it down but it was a "risk-based" choice. Now what it done is done and I want to honor this tree by putting its remnants to good use - respectfully.
Peace!
Ken