A prominent bur oak tree at University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum faces an uncertain future after a recent lightning strike left a nasty scar down the trunk.
The tree, located in the Great Lakes Garden of the Ann Arbor area complex, was struck by lightning during a March 31 storm, gardens staff said in a social media post. Bur oaks, also known as burr oaks, are large trees with corky branches and dark green leaves.
“During the storm last Tuesday, the magnificent burr oak in the Great Lakes Garden was struck by lightning. The tree still stands stately, but the strike left a large gash that runs from the tallest branches to the ground. Best-case scenario, the wound will heal into a burn scar, and the tree will live on for many more years. As a species well-adapted to fire, oaks know a thing or two about how to endure,” the botanical garden staffer said in the video post.
Here’s what to know about the lightning strike.
What happened at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum?
The oak tree was struck by lightning in the Great Lakes Garden at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum during a March 31 storm, the gardens said in a Facebook post and video.
The lightning strike has left a scar along the tree, though the bur oak could survive the damage, the post said.
What is a bur oak tree?
A bur oak tree is a large tree native to the Midwest, with dark green leaves and corky branches, according to The Morton Arboretum and McKay Nursery.
What are the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum?
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are gardens, farmland, research areas, natural preserves, conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory and more across over 800 acres in the Ann Arbor area, part of the University of Michigan, per its website.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lightning struck an oak at U-M garden. See video of the scar
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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