Lightning strike burns Lichtenberg figure into grass on Michigan golf course
GAYLORD, Mich. (WGN) — A round of storms on Tuesday night left behind an interesting surprise for groundkeepers at a northern Michigan resort.
Groundskeepers at the Treetops Resort's Smith Tradition Golf Course in Gaylord, Michigan, arrived Wednesday morning to find a lightning bolt had struck the course's 11th fairway.
But to even greater surprise, the lightning strike left behind a unique branching pattern in the grass.
Officials from the resort shared photos of the pattern left behind in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning.
'What you're seeing here is a ground strike that hit the 11th fairway of the Smith Tradition during a lightning storm,' the post read in part.
The branching pattern left behind is known as a Lichtenberg figure, which forms when electricity moves through or across an insulating material, like plastic, wood or skin.
The figures are the result of a high-voltage electric charge that builds up and suddenly discharges, which creates a path through the material. The rapid movement then leaves behind the pattern.
Groundskeepers at the resort do not appear upset with Mother Nature's artwork, as they say lightning strikes can actually be beneficial for the grass.
'Turf tip of the day: Lightning can release nitrogen in the soil, which can actually be very good for the grass. This is why the grass always looks greener the day after a storm,' the post said.
Visit the Treetops website for more information on the resort.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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