Preparing for summer storms is not always easy as the weather can be unpredictable. Cleanup from summer storms can also equate to increased overtime, so it is important that grounds professionals be as proactive as possible when it comes to weather changes and preparation.

According to recent surveys, more than 1 million trees are struck by lightning in the United States each year. Trees can be killed immediately from lightning strikes, but more often they are weakened allowing a secondary attack from disease or insect infestation to finish the job. Falling limbs from the damaged branches are also areas of concern to pedestrian traffic.

The risk to trees is obvious, but lightning strikes can "jump" from trees to more conductive materials, such as guttering and other metal objects located on adjacent buildings. It is important to keep tree limbs trimmed away from buildings roofs and edges. A 10-foot separation is a good rule of thumb to discourage these jumps.

Lightning protection systems are readily available and can minimize the risk. They are inconspicuous and noninvasive to the trees or population and can be great risk-management tools.

These systems use copper conductors connected to a ground rod to decrease tree damage and channel the electrical charge to the earth where the energy is disseminated. They do not reduce the risk of a lightning strike, but rather control the path of the strike for minimal effect.

Once installed, as with all systems, maintenance is vital to ensuring the highest performance and longevity. Systems should be checked annually for any signs of damage and addressed accordingly.

Keeping trees well-mulched, watered, fertilized and trimmed increases their ability to survive damage caused by lightning. The taller the tree, the more susceptible it is to lightning strikes.

Historic trees are prime candidates for lightning protection. Once damaged, a tree can never be restored to its original state. If you have trees that are vital to your landscape or part of a valuable historic presentation, it is vital that you take a proactive approach to protect these assets.

If a tree is struck, there is little recourse available to improve survival rates. Preventing lightning damage is often more effective and less costly than dealing with a wounded tree following a strike.

Trees are assets that provide shade and shelter for wildlife — as well as oxygen — and should be protected from the devastating effects of lightning through a proactive program.