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Training NewsLightning strike explodes 150-year-old tree at Eastwood Park | Aug 08 Staff at Eastwood Park had a lucky escape during a recent thunderstorm. One of the 158 trees on the 200-acre Gloucestershire estate was struck by lightning. The result was the tree literally exploded! The very brief but almighty storm laid claim to the 60/70ft Cedar tree, which was in excess of 150 years old. John Thatcher, CEO at Eastwood Park commented: “A single bolt of lightning struck the tree and about 20 seconds later it exploded. Apparently the lightning was attracted, in part, by the moisture in the tree, which heated up internally and caused it to explode within seconds. We were extremely lucky to have escaped unharmed as the tree came down blocking our driveway, just avoiding our training laboratories and administration offices. There was some slight damage to a car as the exploded wood showered part of the car park.” The drive took some time to clear by maintenance staff and tree surgeons took around five hours to take down the remaining tree the next day and make it safe. The weather has been making its mark all summer, and Eastwood Park has not escaped the repercussions, as you will see from some of these dramatic shots.  
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