Protect Big Trees From Lightning

Protect Big Trees From Lightning SECURITY/SAFETY Miscellaneous Want to protect a tall tree from lightning damage? Piel Enterprises Hubbard Iowa installs lightning rods near treetops and cables conduct the electricity harmlessly into the ground “There seems to be more trees getting hit by lightning in recent years In many cases the lightning splits the tree wide open and kills the tap roots ” says Dana Piel who owns the tree service care company and is also a licensed electrician “We’re protecting trees from lightning in much the same way we’d protect buildings ” They use a boom truck to lift an operator up to the highest point in the tree There he mounts the rod and then staples a copper line or braided steel cable to the side of the tree and then all the way down to the ground At the bottom of the tree the cable is attached to a pair of ground rods The photo shows the company installing a lightning rod about 60 ft up into an 85-ft tall elm tree The service typically costs $300 to $500 depending on the size and location of the tree Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dana Piel Enterprises 120 North Michigan St Hubbard Iowa 50122 ph 641 864-3100 or 641 864-3108; pielenterprises@yahoo com

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