Tree Shedding Bark

[threephi]

We have a second home we keep as an investment property. I rent it on VRBO and our renters sent me this picture of the driveway tree today. The previous owner planted it; I'm not sure what it is but something is wrong with it because the bark is coming off.

Someone tore down the building across the road. Do you think they could have had an accident with the construction equipment and not reported it to us? Our village doesn't maintain parkway trees so I'm going to have to replace this one if it dies.

 

[Chuck]

Looks a lot like lightning struck the tree. I doubt the tree will die but the injury will always look strange.

 

[threephi]

That makes sense! We have cameras viewing the front and back yard. The cameras went off for about a day last week.
I wonder if the lightning stroke could have affected the phone line into the house.

 

[Chuck]

That makes sense! We have cameras viewing the front and back yard. The cameras went off for about a day last week.
I wonder if the lightning stroke could have affected the phone line into the house.

Doubtful if phones were affected, although possible. A close lightning strike causes short-term power outages. About anything in the house digital would be affected. If the cameras record you can actually see the strike as a static bright light and then nothing.

 

[threephi]

The neighbour confirmed it was lightning. The tree went to autumn colour and dropped the leaves early. We decided to remove it and will plant a new tree in the spring.