Apparently, trees provide a false sense of security for many people.
Each year, several people are killed while seeking shelter from lightning under a tree.
Similarly, people feel safe from lightning by having trees around their home.
Unfortunately, when these trees do get hit, they are usually destroyed.
Often the lightning then "sideflashes" to the house, causing further damage.
The NFPA-780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
recommends that any tree within 10 feet of a protected structure also be protected, to prevent sideflash.
Of course, many trees are protected for their own value.