In Panama’s tropical forests, the towering almendro tree appears to gain strength rather than suffer damage from frequent lightning strikes. Growing up to 180 feet (55 meters) tall, the tree is often struck, yet it not only survives but may even benefit from these high-energy impacts. According to a recent study published in New Phytologist, lightning may play a role in the tree’s longevity and growth.
Tracking lightning strikes on Panama’s almendro trees over five years
Between 2014 and 2019, researchers monitored lightning activity in Panama’s Barro Colorado Island forest. Using cameras and sensors, they pinpointed 94 lightning strikes during this period. Each time a strike occurred, they examined the affected trees and followed up later to assess their recovery.
One species stood out among the trees that were hit.
All nine almendro trees struck by lightning survived with minimal damage, losing only a few leaves. In contrast, similarly sized trees from other species suffered significantly. Nearly half of their upper branches were destroyed, and about two-thirds died within two years.
Evan Gora, a forest ecologist and the study’s lead researcher, stated that the almendro tree appears naturally equipped to endure lightning. He suggested that its unique properties allow it to disperse electrical energy more effectively than other trees.
One potential reason is the tree’s wood composition and water transport system. Almendro trees efficiently move water, which may help electricity pass through with less heat buildup, reducing the damage typically caused by lightning strikes.
Tree size and shape increase lightning strike probability
The almendro’s towering height and wide canopy make it more likely to be struck by lightning than its neighbors. Drone imagery revealed that the tree is 68% more likely to be hit than surrounding species. However, the impact extends beyond the almendro itself.
Lightning affects nearby trees as well. Electricity can jump from the almendro’s branches or travel through vines connecting other trees, often leading to leaf loss and eventual tree death.
Lightning clears space for almendro tree growth
Trees growing near an almendro face a 48% higher risk of dying after a lightning strike, according to the study. This mortality rate creates open space, allowing the almendro to access more sunlight. Additionally, researchers found that the tree may produce up to 14 times more seeds when it has fewer competitors.
Tropical ecologist Gabriel Arellano, who was not involved in the study, noted that this survival advantage “makes a lot of sense.”
Scientists suspect that the almendro is not the only tree species benefiting from lightning strikes. Observations from other forests suggest that certain trees in tropical environments may have evolved to withstand and even thrive after being hit by lightning.
“It seems very likely that certain trees are benefitting from lightning across forests globally,” Gora said.
This unexpected relationship between trees and lightning is shifting scientific perspectives on the role of storms in forest ecosystems. What was once seen as purely destructive may, in reality, be helping some of the strongest trees persist and spread.