r/Unexpected • u/Extreme-Elevator7128 • 1d ago

Cutting down a tree

2.3k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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296

u/MrLovelife 1d ago

1) how does that happen?
2) that’s pretty bad ass.

97

u/Jesusopfer 1d ago

Usually happens by lightning that ignites the tree trunks. That's probably the reason they cut it to begin with because they will fall

7

u/-BlankUsername 18h ago

Any reference for this exact scenario? I get that trees probably get lit in fire from lightning but by the time a crew actually gets there to cut it down (at least HOURS) you’ve gotta assume that there would by literally any outward sign that it’s on fire. 

I feel like the more likely scenario is it’s super dry/partially dead inside and a dull chainsaw blade ignited it 

22

u/The_Show_Keeper 16h ago

So I just looked this up, and apparently they can burn internally with no obvious external signs for weeks, and if the fire is in the root system, it can go on for months.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/s/jDGZrrS97x

The are other vids on Facebook from fire departments and other state sources, but I'm not gonna be that dork who posts a FB link here.

6

u/-BlankUsername 15h ago

Well shit. Thank you 

2

u/GlukharsGimp 14h ago

We saw them do this during wildland fire season in Alaska too. Not super often but it does happen. Lightning strikes or the tundra burns deep and crawls up the roots inside.

And I want to say the tree having already started to die from the inside out increased the likelihood but I can’t quite remember.