Editing Weird Wonderlings (section)

==Lightningrod Pine==
This tall, spindly tree is often found near mines and at high altitude. The tree accumulates metal (especially copper) in its wood, and especially the sap. Although the poisonous effect of the wood from the metal concentration and toxic resin prevents most predators, some insects (verdegris beetles and miner's cap fungus are a particular threat) still feed on it. 

The most unusual feature of the Lightningrod Pine, however, is the one that gives it its name. The sap and resin make up a form of natural liquid battery or capacitor with incredible energy and power density. The tree naturally accumulates a small charge from Earth currents via the roots and the small potential difference between the ground and it's tall crown. Predators that brush the glittering needles find themselves warned off by a spark as the tree discharges. 

When the tall tree is struck by lightning, however, much of the sap stored up over the spring and fall is overcharged and rapidly discharges, letting loose all of its stored energy in an explosion. If one is lucky enough to witness a strike in a stand of Lightningrod Pines, you may see a whole series of chained arcs as the discharged energy jumps to another tree, which overloads in turn. The explosion sends shards of wood far and wide - as well as seedlings, which are dispersed to the wind. 

The burned-out stump that remains holds a stock of the remaining resin that didn't cook off, now fully charged. The tree will use this sizable store of energy to quickly grow again in the coming spring. 

The tapped sap and hardened resin from the tree are commonly used as power sources - the substance, when fully charged has a energy storage density comparable to gasoline - explosives, and weapon components for electrical technology in the dwarf mountains the pines grow on, where burning coal would foul the air underground with smoke and blackdamp.