Here in Southwest Florida, lightning strikes are a real and frequent threat; especially as we enter the height of rainy and hurricane season. It’s not uncommon for trees in our area to be struck by lightning at any point over these stormy months. A lightning strike can deliver up to one billion volts of electricity, and the damage it inflicts on a tree can range from subtle to catastrophic. With storms rolling in almost daily, the risk to your property increases, making it vital to understand what can happen if lightning hits one of your trees and why being prepared is