Lightning can actually make trees explode! Many trees, especially those that are dead, decaying, or water-filled contain a great deal of moisture. When lightning strikes, temperatures can soar to around 50,000°F, instantly turning the water inside the tree into superheated steam. The sudden buildup of pressure can be so powerful that it blasts bark and wood outward, sometimes splitting the trunk apart or causing the tree to literally explode. It’s one of nature’s most dramatic and dangerous displays of power.