|
|
Trees that have been damaged by lightning are extremely dangerous. Damage that looks superficial on the outside can be far more serious, with the tree split vertically, from top to bottom, on the inside.
That means that the part of the tree that you are climbing can split apart, throwing you to the ground.
The best way to tell that a tree has been hit by lightning is that it will have missing bark or burn marks. Sometimes, there will be the pattern of a corkscrew going down the tree trunk. And sometimes, the top of the tree will have been blown out.
With all trees, but especially with those that appear to have been struck by lightning, do a load test. Two people should grab the rope and bounce up and down, putting their full weight on it. Then, take the rope and pull it first to one side and then the other, like in a tug-of-war. If the tree starts to give way, find another tree to climb. |
|
|
|
