Edi, sorry to hear about the lightning-damaged oak tree. I hate to see old trees come down. Too bad it wasn't the developer's condo instead! (Not that I'd wish any harm to those living there.)
Yes, I had a ginormous (a Websters officially sanctioned word) oak tree, one of the largest and oldest in Marietta, 15 feet incurcumference, split by lightning years ago. We discovered that it had been split before and was hollow inside. It split immediately after this happened.
My neighbor's tree is still standing, but I hope they will take it down soon, as it's split right down the middle and the idiot city tree pruners cut back so many branches from the power lines that all of our big oak trees are weighted very heavily towards the houses. One strong wind and his house could be history.
It's weird seeing this huge patch of bark-free tree. It's so clean and beautiful and smooth.
The condo was without power, too, so no elevator service for them. They had to use the stairs, like us mortals.
