Thank you for your question.

I think that the main question is not IF the tree can be saved, but do the owners really want to save it. As far as I can tell this is some type of oak, possibly a Bur Oak. While Bur Oak is more resistant to oak wilt that other species of oak, a wound this large on the tree creates the real possibility that various types of disease pathogens could infect the tree.

Another factor to keep in mind is this lightning strike generated a large amount of heat within the tree. What this means is that the superficial damage done to the tree may obscure underlying heat damage to the tree’s vascular system. This portends that the long-term survival of the oak has probably been compromised.

Just looking at a few pictures does not enable a full damage assessment to be made. It will be necessary to have a professional, licensed arborist make an onsite inspection and assessment. See the following for further information on these and related points:

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/caring-for-lightning-struck-trees/ - :~:text=Lightning strikes strip away the,volatile compounds that attract insects.

https://www.americanarborists.net/tree-tips/2017/june/what-to-do-if-your-tree-is-struck-by-lightning-/

At this point, the most conservative route is to “wait and see”. If the tree can’t survive, evidence of this should be seen by the end of the summer. Certainly evidence of this would be apparent by next spring.

Good luck. Thanks for consulting with us.