The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-05-26
lightning and Trees.

1t is very COMMONLY expressed
idea that there ia less danger to in
dividuals who happen to be over
taken in thunder storm if it is ac-
companied bya downpour of rain
than would be the case if the rain
was absent. From the observation
of the effects of the electric fluid
upon trees, there seems to be
ground for such belief, as it would
appear that where a considerable
amount of moisture il absorbed and
away without causing any rupture
in the medium through which it
passes. The state of knowledge,
with regard to the way In which the
fluid acts upon trees is in rather an
elementary condition, although there
are a few things more worthy of the
notice of forssters who are at all
scientifically inclined. So far as OBJ
seryations have gone. as a!re9dy in
timated, it seems pretty clear that
not only does the amount of mois-
ture in a tree produce an. effect, but
also the character of the tree itself
and the season when it is struck.
AS an example of the way in which
moisture conducts electricity, the
case of an electrified tropical forest
has been cited, where heavy rains
had fallen and soaked the trees,
which then became charged with
electricity. Subsequently, q thun-
der storm passsd over the electrified
trees, which were thus induced 20
part with their store of the fluid into
the cloud above in such a manner
that the phenomenon was visible to
the eve. As each flash from the
cloud passed, the points of the trees
gradually became aglow, until
another fash relieved them of their
superabundant charge. To bring US
to what more commonly occurs, the
Investigations which were made
some years ago by Prof Colladon,
and reported in the scientific papers,
may be of interest This gentleman
made a minute examination of a
tall poplar which had been struck
by lightning in i street in Geneva,
and the conclusions at which he ar
rived with regard to it support the
theory which has been referred to.
These shortly were. that the fluid
FIRST strikes the highest branches,
those most exposed to the
rain, runs through almost all the
smaller branches until it reaches the
trunk, which, being a much worse
conductor, presumably from its
greater dryness. is generally ruptur-
ed. From this it is argued that the
topmost branches of trees during
storms would be the safest position,
and it is pointed out that birds in
the branches are seldom killed. A
Lombardy poplar, with spring or
pool of water near its base, would,
therefore, form a good lightning con-
uIIloi II pidOoN th piOAfhIltF W q
building. But care must be taken
that the pool is not on the opposite
side of the building, as there is a
case on record where fash of light
ming left tree thus situated, passed
through the building, and entered
the water On the other side. Such
cases tend to prove that the condi-
tion, character, and position of trees
has much to do with the action of
upon them. but, as has
been said, the state of knowledge in
tfis direction is not very far advan-
csI At the present season it is
usually to have opportunities of
noting effects. as thunder storms are
not common but as they occur it
would be very interesting if the ac-
ton Of the lightning flash upon trees
was more carefully observed and
the result made public