Tree Lightning Protection System Installation Katy, Hockley & Fulshear TX
Tree lightning protection systems make trees less vulnerable to lightning strikes, minimizing the chances of getting struck and property damage to surrounding structures. Cody’s Tree Service installs professional tree lightning protection apparatus in Katy, Fulshear, Hockley, and Pattison, Texas. Each lightning protection system is unique depending on the specific trees and surroundings, but each tree protection system includes a variable combination of lightning rods, surge protectors, ground rods, and copper or cable conductors.
Keep reading to learn more about our custom systems, how they protect trees from lightning, and the price range you can expect to have one installed.
Contact our local tree service company to request a tree lightning vulnerability assessment by our licensed local arborists. Call (281) 391-3450 to speak with a member of our team or send us an email request.
Tree Lightning Protection System Components
The purpose of a lightning protection system is to draw lightning strikes away from trees, minimizing the chances of a tree getting struck by lightning. These tree protection systems contain a few different components.
- Electrical Conductors – copper cable conductors are attached to the lightning rod and provide a pathway for the electricity to travel down to the ground rods where the earth absorbs the powerful charge.
- Ground Rods – Ground rods are metal rods buried deep into the ground near the tree that needs protection. When the lightning rods are struck by lightning the electricity is conducted all the way down into the ground, saving the tree and protecting nearby structures from fire and falling trees.
- Surge Protectors – Installing a surge protection system in nearby structures and homes is highly recommended to prevent damage to electronics and fires from side flashes. Side flashes occur when a tree or a lightning rod is struck by lightning on a tree very close to a house or building.
- Lightning Rods – Last but not least, the lightning rod is the metal rod sticking into the air high above the tree, inviting lightning’s electricity to safely connect and prevent a deadly strike.
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Which Trees Need Lightning Protection?
Trees we install lightning protection for are typically very large and older trees in city centers, public parks, and historic sites or landmarks. We also highly recommend installing arborist lightning protection systems for large trees that are 10 feet or less from your home to avoid the risk of side flash.
How Does a Tree Lightning Protection System Minimize the Risk of a Strike?
Tree lightning prevention systems have lightning rods with special copper conductors that attract the lightning strike’s electricity and pull the voltage down to the earth where it is diffused. The protection systems draw the lightning away from the vulnerable tree, keeping it safe from the death sentence of a lightning strike.
Which Tree Species are the Most Vulnerable to Lightning?
In general tall trees tend to attract lightning strikes more often and the most common species include:
- Oak Trees – Live Oak, Post Oak, White Oak, Cherry Bark Oak, Shumard Oak, Water Oak, Overcup Oak, Chestnut Oak & Willow Oak
- Palm Trees – Sabal Palms, Coconut Palms, Date Palms, Wax Palms, Mexican Fan Palms, Royal Palms, California Palms
- Pine Trees – Ponderosa Pines, Longleaf Pines, Slash Pines, Southern White Pines, Shortleaf Pines
How Can I Found Out if My Tree Needs Lightning Protection Installed?
Request a licensed arborist consultation to determine whether your tree is vulnerable to lightning strikes and would benefit from a professional protection system.
Request Tree Lightning Protection
Cody’s Tree Service has license arborists experienced with lightning protection system design. Call (281) 391-3450 or submit a form online to request a consultation.