Ep. 522 - Shocking Relationships Between Trees & Lightning

In Defense of Plants Podcast

In Defense of Plants

Science & Medicine, Natural Sciences

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 April 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Getting struck by lightning is always thought of as a bad thing, but what if it wasn't? Trees can't get up and escape when storms roll in and the chances of one getting struck by lightning increases as they grow taller. For at least one species of tropical tree, getting struck could actually be beneficial not only to individuals but also populations. Join me and Dr. Evan Gora as we look at the shocking relationships between trees and lightning. This episode was produced in part by Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret, Daniel, Karen, David, Earl, Jocelyn, Gary, Krysta, Elizabeth, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Pattypollinators, Peter, Judson, Ella, Alex, Dan, Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby, Christopher, Alvin, Arek, Chellie, Dani, Paul, Dani, Tara, Elly, Colleen, Natalie, Nathan, Ario, Laura, Cari, Margaret, Mary, Connor, Nathan, Jan, Jerome, Brian, Azomonas, Ellie, University Greens, Joseph, Melody, Patricia, Matthew, Garrett, John, Ashley, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Jules, Griff, Joan, Megan, Marabeth, Les, Ali, Southside Plants, Keiko, Robert, Bryce, Wilma, Amanda, Helen, Mikey, Michelle, German, Joerg, Cathy, Tate, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Lynn, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Brett, Jocelyn, Ethan, Sheryl, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Chris, Alana, Rachel, Joanna, Lori, Paul, Griff, Matthew, Bobby, Vaibhav, Steven, Joseph, Brandon, Liam, Hall, Jared, Brandon, Christina, Carly, Kazys, Stephen, Katherine, Manny, doeg, Daniel, Tim, Philip, Tim, Lisa, Brodie, Bendix, Irene, holly, Sara, and Margie.

Transcript

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0:00.0	We have new and familiar merch for sale and a completely new store with cheaper prices.
0:05.3	Go check it out over at indefensiveplants.com and click an apparel at the top.
0:09.5	Merch really helps keep this show up and running and it helps you look cool in the process.
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0:17.5	Indefensive Plants up and running.
0:19.1	Now on with the show.
0:20.9	Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Ind Defensive Plants podcast, the official podcast of
0:25.2	IndefensivePlants.com.
0:26.6	What's up?
0:27.0	This is your host, Matt.
0:27.8	Welcome to the show.
0:28.6	How is everyone doing this week?
0:30.2	I have an electrifying episode for you today.
0:33.0	And yes, that is a pun because we are talking about the relationship between lightning and trees.
0:38.4	Many of you have probably experienced a tree that has been struck by lightning before,
0:42.2	and oftentimes it's talked about in the form of how bad it is for the tree.
0:46.1	But my guest today is studying a system where lightning might actually be beneficial.
0:50.3	Joining us from the Carey Institute is Dr. Evan Gora,
0:53.7	and he and his colleagues are working to
0:55.4	understand the relationships between trees, lightning, as well as things like carbon and nutrient
1:00.0	cycling. It is amazing work and mind-blowing, to be honest, this is work I never would have
1:04.5	predicted, but I'm so happy it exists, so let's not waste any more time. Without further ado,
	...

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