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'Elf tree' wired for protection

In case of a lightning strike, a newly installed system will divert the bolt to a grounding rod buried 8 feet deep in Largo Central Park.

By ASHLEE CLARK
Published July 12, 2006

LARGO - The branches of the largest live oak in Largo Central Park twist high into the air before swooping down and nestling in the mulch around the tree.

To some, it's the "Elf Tree" - a reference to the oak's resemblance to the tree in Keebler Food Co. advertising.

But it's copper wiring, not cookie-making elves, that climb up the tree near the park's clock tower.

The wiring is part of a lightning protection system installed into the tree about a week and a half ago. The system will divert a lightning bolt that strikes the tree to a grounding rod 8 feet underground.

The tree was struck once about three years ago, the bolt searing a wound into the tree that shows signs of healing today.

The city has also given other trees in the park preventive treatment to keep them alive, healthy and growing over the heads of park visitors.

Five live oaks underwent a root invigoration process to replace compacted soil around the roots with biological fertilizers, manures and viable soil, Largo parks superintendent Greg Brown said.

The cost of the root and lightning treatments was $6,745.50, he said.

Root treatments were needed after construction of the playground and sidewalks compacted the soil around the trees' roots in 1995. Air wasn't getting into the roots like it should have, Brown said.

Less new growth, more sunlight poking through the thinning canopy and an increased loss of leaves were signs of the trees' declining health, Brown said.

The trees will be monitored for progress for the next two years, Brown said.

The trees' shady canopy is a draw for many families and groups that visit the park, he said.

Justin Harris, a counselor for a day camp that visited the park, said the campers would still have fun if the shade wasn't there, "but not so much" for the counselors.

Isabella Ramasanto's cheeks were rosy and moist with sweat after playing and socializing in the playground on a humid Monday afternoon.

The 3-year-old's trip to the park would have been worse if it weren't for the trees' shade, said Mike Ramasanto, 36, of Largo. "The sunshine is especially brutal" for the children, he said.

[Last modified July 11, 2006, 23:45:34]