[This dataset is embargoed until January 2, 2025]. This dataset contains includes measurements of trees and lianas stem diameters and status (e.g. alive, dead), and lightning strike data for forest areas within the Ankasa Conservation Area, collected between June 2018 and July 2021. We investigated tree mortality drive by lightning strikes in a 50-ha (1000 m x 500 m) plot area in the Ankasa Conservation Area, located in southwestern Ghana. The 50-ha was divided into 50 x 1-ha forest plots. In every census, we measured and tagged all trees and lianas that have a stem diameter at 1.3 m (or above buttresses) of ≥25 cm and notes were taken about the tree's living status (e.g., broken, hollow) or the trees death mode (e.g., uprooted, standing). Lightning strike data was collected from a subsample of the individual trees recorded in the census data. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/615481ab-e97d-4c73-9973-4fb80e5fb003

[This dataset is embargoed until January 2, 2025]. Measurements of tree resistance to ground and adjacent soils in the Ankasa Conservation Area located in southwestern Ghana. Tree species were selected as representative of the dominant species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ranging from 17.8 to 77.8 cm. The selected 20 trees had DBH ranging from 17.8 to 77.8 cm. In addition, measurements were extended to a single liana (Connarus africanus) with 7.0 cm DBH. Data on tree and soil resistivity were collected on the same 20 trees for both wet (March) and dry (September) season campaigns in 2019. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/c46028c6-1d2b-4b40-a174-39ea3fee2499