Invisible Electric Sparks Discovered Emanating from Trees During Storms

Scientists observe trees actively participating in electrical activity during thunderstorms, releasing faint sparks from leaves.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Researchers have documented a previously unknown phenomenon where trees release faint electrical discharges, known as corona discharge, from their leaves during thunderstorms. Using ultraviolet telescopes, scientists have observed these subtle electrical flickers occurring across multiple tree species, potentially thousands of times simultaneously across a forest canopy. While the individual discharges are weak, the cumulative effects on tree health and the surrounding atmosphere remain an area of active research.

Why it matters

This discovery challenges the traditional view of trees as passive victims of lightning strikes during storms. Instead, it reveals a more nuanced, two-way electrical interaction between trees and the atmosphere. Understanding these storm-forest dynamics could lead to better forest management strategies and insights into how trees influence local air quality.

The details

The process begins as electrical charge builds up in the ground beneath storm clouds. This charge travels up through the tree roots and trunk, concentrating at the sharpest points: the leaf tips. When the electrical field becomes strong enough, it causes the air around the leaf to conduct electricity, resulting in a faint corona discharge. While far weaker than lightning, these discharges can potentially damage the protective cuticle layer on leaves and alter the surrounding air chemistry.

  • Researchers first documented the corona discharge phenomenon during a thunderstorm on June 27, 2024.
  • Ongoing studies are combining ultraviolet imaging, leaf surveys, and air quality monitoring to better understand the frequency and impacts of these discharges.

The players

Patrick McFarland

A meteorologist at Penn State University leading the research team that discovered the corona discharge phenomenon in trees.

Geophysical Research Letters

The scientific journal that published the initial findings on corona discharges from trees during thunderstorms.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't a single event, but potentially thousands of subtle flickers happening simultaneously across a forest canopy.”

— Patrick McFarland, Meteorologist (Geophysical Research Letters)

What’s next

Researchers are planning to expand their observations to map corona discharges across entire forests, which will be a key step in assessing the overall impact of this phenomenon on tree health and local atmospheric conditions.

The takeaway

This discovery of trees actively participating in electrical activity during storms challenges our traditional understanding of the relationship between forests and thunderstorms. By unveiling the subtle corona discharges emanating from leaves, scientists can now explore how these storm-forest interactions may influence tree vitality and the surrounding environment in ways previously unknown.