Lightning Strike?

[KEC]

I took a hike on a public hiking trail today and right next to the trail was a Hop Hornbeam tree aboout 5-6" dbh with the bark separated from the tree and hanging from long strips from ~15' up. There were no axe marks on the tree to suggest human tampering. The leaves were green in the top, so I'm guessing this just happened. Could lightning cause this?

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[charles mann]

kinda looks natural, with no electrical cause. all the tree strikes iv seen, it was very evident lightening was there. even if it didn't burn the tree where it traveled, there would be blow out/gouge marks from mother nature threw a fit. i could be wrong though.  

[Southside]

Just how big are the deer in your neck of the woods?  :D

[bluthum]

Wouldn't surprise that was caused by lightning. Lightning does about what it wants too, often things that defy logic.

Twice in my life I've witnessed it strike trees close at hand and once watched it come blazing out of my leg after entering my forearm. That's my short answer.