Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, June 21, 1928, p. 7. Note: Parts of this item were cut off in copying as indicated by ellipsis. Wild Cherry Tree is An Attractor For Lightning Indianapolis News. The death of four men by lightning under a wild cherry tree is a reminder of discussions formerly often heard as to storm dangers in the woods. A solitary tree in a field is presumed to be more attractive to lightning than one in a woods. It is a question of one lightning rod against many. It is natural for man and beast in the open to flee to a tree in case of storm, but while this may afford refuge from the direct force of rain and wind, it promises no protection against electric dangers. If the tree is a wild cherry the danger is supposed to be increased. There is a tradition from pioneer days, based in part, at least, on observation and experience that wild cherry trees are struck by lightning more .make their dominance of the woods probably coming second. As to the ity [sic] to lightning blasts. The cherry it has been supposed , is a conductor because of some mysterious quality of the exhalations of the tree. But even as to wild cherry, the testimony is conflicting. There was a wild cherry east of the city on the banks of Pleasant Run, that was struck by lightning nearly every time there was an electric storm. It was knocked to pieces finally, leaving only growing sprouts from the roots. Not half a mile away, in South Emerson avenue, is a large wide-spreading cherry in the college campus that has, in the memory of old-timers, never been blasted by lightning, at least not in fifty years. Perhaps there is scientific explanation (the ..tric currents, perhaps for the different fate of the trees. But prudence dictates that one should not seek storm refuge under large and solitary trees. Obedience to this rule would obviate the necessity .