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| Scientists have found that certain trees in Panama's lowland rainforests actually benefit from lightning strikes. (Image credit: pawopa3336/Getty Images) |
Nature’s Electrifying Secret Weapon
In the dense, lowland rainforests of Panama, a surprising ally lurks in the stormy skies — lightning. While most trees fear its wrath, one tropical giant seems to embrace it. Meet the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) — a species that not only survives powerful lightning strikes but uses them to eliminate its competition.
Struck But Not Shaken
Lightning is often a destructive force in tropical forests, especially targeting the largest and oldest trees. But scientists have now discovered that D. oleifera defies the odds. According to a study published in New Phytologist on March 26, this tree not only remains undamaged after lightning strikes — it thrives.
Over a decade-long study led by forest ecologist Evan Gora from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, researchers tracked nearly 100 lightning strikes across Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument. Using electric field sensors, cameras, drones, and decades of forest data, they made a remarkable observation: trees neighboring D. oleifera were dying at significantly higher rates.
Lightning as a Lethal Strategy
Each time lightning hits a tonka bean tree, it sends a deadly shockwave through the surrounding forest. On average, a single strike wipes out over 2.4 tons (2 metric tons) of biomass — mostly trees and parasitic vines like lianas that tangle in the canopy.
These vines often drain trees of nutrients and sunlight. But when they cling to a tonka bean tree, they’re in for a deadly surprise. Nearly 80% of these vines perish during a lightning strike. The result? A clearer canopy, more sunlight, and less competition for D. oleifera.
A Dipteryx oleifera tree shortly after being hit by lightning in 2019 (left) and again two years later (right). The tree endured the strike with little damage and gained an advantage as the lightning cleared away parasitic vines and nearby competing plants. (Image credit: Evan Gora)
The Science Behind the Shock
How does this tree survive such a destructive force? Researchers believe it comes down to high internal conductivity. Much like a well-insulated wire, the tonka bean tree allows electricity to flow through without heating up and causing internal damage.
These trees can grow up to 130 feet (40 meters) and live for centuries. By the time one reaches maturity, it's likely to be struck at least five times — each one clearing space and boosting its dominance. Researchers estimate this leads to a 14-fold increase in seed production over its lifetime. Talk about turning adversity into advantage.
Beyond Panama: Could Other Trees Do the Same?
While this shocking behavior has been confirmed in Panama, scientists are expanding their research to forests in Africa and Southeast Asia. Could similar species elsewhere also be using lightning to rise above their competition?
Australian horticulturist Gregory Moore, who wasn’t involved in the study, notes that tall trees in savannas and woodlands often show signs of surviving multiple strikes. In fact, some are called “stags” — trees that have lost their top but still stand tall centuries later.
Final Thoughts: Evolution’s Electrifying Twist
The tonka bean tree’s relationship with lightning offers a rare glimpse into how nature adapts to even the most destructive forces. It’s a reminder that in the wild, survival often means turning threats into tools.
As climate change increases the frequency of lightning storms, understanding these dynamics could reveal how resilient tropical forests are — and how evolution continues to shape the world in unexpected ways.
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