Yellowhammer Sawing Lightning Struck Logs

[Andries]

. .  There will be no use sawing this one.  It is toast. . . 

Well, that works out.
 The tree is now firewood, so you can use that to make toast.
But, are you sure that YH wouldn�t take a �turn and learn� run at that one? 😁

[KenMac]

I have sawn a few pines that were lightning struck many years ago. One thing they all seemed to share is that around the strike area the wood is almost completely "lighter wood" as many call it. I sawed one for a friend and about half of his 2x4's were 75% like this. I don't know how it affects the structural strength, but they were heavier than clear ones and more flexible.

[YellowHammer]

You know, it's interesting, I walked my log yard and was amazed at all the logs I have that are lightning struck.  I guess during the long life of a big tree, it's just a matter of time before it gets hit.

I remember when I was looking at express saltwater boats, 30 footers and such, and noticed they were all running mechanical fuel pump diesels instead of the fancy digital fuel controlled pumps.  I was told it was to still have engine power in the case of a lightning strike because a mechanical pump will keep running, and not fry.  Then the guy ship chandler told me "It wasn't if a boat would get hit, it was when..."  Makes ya think.....

[Ianab]

I have sawn a few pines that were lightning struck many years ago. One thing they all seemed to share is that around the strike area the wood is almost completely "lighter wood" as many call it.

I think the resin is the trees response to damage. A lightning strike can cause the sap in the wood it boil, and that's what blows off the bark (or even explodes the whole tree). The tree usually isn't killed instantly (unless it explodes or catches fire), so there is time for the resin to move into the damaged areas. Sometimes the tree survives, other times the damage is too great and it dies. 

[Magicman]

I would not hesitate to saw a lightning struck tree.  Matter of fact I have sawn over a dozen during the past few weeks.  Open the faces so that any damaged wood will not affect the good. 

Lightening strikes are different.  Some may be a short lived flash and only cause surface damage that my not extend but a couple of inches inside of the tree while other strikes seem to hang in there and boil the sap.  The first instance may very well live and pack the surrounding area with pitch while the latter may immediately die.

[WDH]

Down here, a lightning stuck tree has a death sentence from the Ips bark beetles.  They find the sick tree with their radar, then have a family reunion.  The ambrosia beetles come in and mop up the scraps. 

[caveman]

I had an order for some 16' 2x4's and I set aside a decent sized slash pine log a few weeks ago due to a lightning strike wound that I anticipated would not saw well or yield nice lumber.

Anyway, I sawed it this evening and got 18, mostly knot free, very straight 2x4's and a couple of 1x6's from the flitches.  Tomorrow, I need to saw 99 more 1x6's and finish up the 2x4's.

Sometimes you just have to saw them.