When you leave 12 Bear green, look backwards once you pass the first oak tree on the right. You will see these two big gashes. At first glance it looks as if someone ran into the tree but it was actually lightning damage. If you look closely at the crotch of the tree you will see another area where the bark was peeled away.
All trees are susceptible to lightning, but studies have found that Oak trees tend to be hit more often than other species in Florida. Oaks tend to be taller than other surrounding trees and hold more moisture naturally, making them particularly vulnerable.
It will be interesting to see if the tree survives. It has about a 50% chance of survival. The strike has caused this oak to be more susceptible to insects and disease.
