Why do you have to stay away from trees during a lighting storm>?

Question

Why do you have to stay away from trees during a lighting storm>?

Answer 1

I had seen lightning close up and I know the danger.

Lone trees are the worst places, hence, during a lightning storm. Lightning tends to hit the tallest place above the ground, and trees are likely targets because of it.

If lightning hits the tree, the current will go straight to your body because the body near it is a better conductor. If the lightning hits the tree and if you are not hit by the current, you can still end up crushed to death or seriously injured by a big tree branch that explodes by a steam explosion caused by the superheated lightning and falls to the ground.

Big tree branches can weigh as high as 2,000-3000 pounds...as heavy as a small car. Get the picture?

Answer 2

because trees are tall, and if your in contact with a tree, and lightning strikes the tree, you will also be struck by it. so never even go neer it; that's why we even say to stay away from poles due to their height.  

Answer 3

It has little to do with the way trees are shaped as one respondent said, and much to do with the fact that lightning is typically (no, not ALWAYS)  drawn to the tallest object around which quite often happens to be trees.

This link explains the mechanics of lightning in a way I cannot yet do so: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PH...

It DOES have to do with the buildup of static electricity here on the ground, and not the shape of trees though...

Answer 4

The lightning can strike the tree and go down through it and the ground under it and kill you!

Answer 5

because lightning hit hight things first and lightning can jump a couple feet

Answer 6

it is recommended because trees happen to be shaped in a way that they create an area of greater magnetic field, this means they are more likely to be struck by lightning. If you are touching a tree when it is hit by lightning some of the electricity can go through you and throw off or completely stop your heartbeat, a very dangerous thing to happen. If it does not affect your heart lightning can still cause painful and scarring burns.

Also, live trees with moisture in them are prone to crack and sometimes violently explode when hit by lightning because of superheated moisture inside.