In what way does a lightning protection system contribute to a tree's health?

A lightning protection system plays a crucial role in maintaining a tree's health primarily by conducting electrical charge away from the tree. During a lightning strike, the immense electrical energy can severely damage a tree, leading to bark peeling, fractures, or even the death of the tree. By installing a lightning protection system—usually consisting of conductive materials such as copper or aluminum rods—this system provides a safe pathway for the electrical charge to be carried away from the tree and into the ground, greatly minimizing the potential for damage.

The other options, while relevant to general tree health or growth, do not accurately describe the specific function or benefit of a lightning protection system. For instance, while increased growth rates and the attraction of beneficial insects might support tree health, they are not mechanisms through which a lightning protection system operates. Similarly, providing nutrients is a biological process not related to the function of a lightning protection system. Therefore, conducting electrical charge away from the tree is the primary benefit that a lightning protection system offers, safeguarding the tree from the harmful effects of lightning strikes.