Lightning is often seen as a killer, leaving behind destruction and death of trees — but one tropical species has evolved to use the force of nature to its benefit. The tonka bean tree, scientifically ...

Before a discovery in a Panamanian rainforest, “it seemed impossible that lightning could be a good thing for the trees,” a scientist said. By Rebecca Dzombak When lightning strikes a tree in the ...

Lightning strikes kill millions of trees each year — but it turns out that some large tropical trees can not only survive a strike, but also benefit from its effects, according to a recent study. The ...

A technician climbs a tower to locate lightning strikes in the study area on Panama's Barro Colorado Island. Evan Gora / Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Getting struck by lightning might not sound ...

New research suggests that Dipteryx oleifera trees, after being struck by lightning, are 14 times more likely to produce offspring. Reading time 3 minutes If you’re stuck outside in the middle of a ...