Do lightning-struck limbs ever come back?

[Canyon Angler]

Hey, all,

I have a 40" DBH pecan that got hit by lightning last August. On one large limb, the lightning blew off the bark and cambium on >50% of the limb's circumference, and that limb is dead and will need to be removed (it'll be my first!) :newbie:

Lower down on the tree, another limb appears to be dead (no buds, and the twigs are getting dry), but there is no apparent damage to the bark that I can see.

My question is, should I remove that lower limb as well as the one that has all the obvious damage, or should I give it another spring to see if it comes back? I would hate to remove it unnecessarily.

Thank you for any advice.

Jeff

 

[treeseer]

give it time; it's still early.

 

[Canyon Angler]

Thank you Treeseer. When you say, "Give it time," do you mean a couple of months or a couple years?

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Depends on how hot a strike; and if it pathed out to something else, or rode the tree all the way to the ground. Only time will tell.

You can nick a spot just below the bark, to see if it is dry (had all the water boiled out of it or died later); or if it is 'conducting water'/ life in that specific area nicked to guide strategy. Of curse this is a wound, after lots of stress, so should be kept to a minimum size and instance.

 

[Canyon Angler]

Thanks, TreeSpyder! Will err on the side of caution...

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

You can always cut it later. It's a bit harder to UNCUT it.