'Tree' does not mean it must be a tree. Lightning could strike a
rock, a neighbor's house, a transcontinential pipe line, or even a
water box to create same effect. Earthing is the one solution always
required even if lightning strikes something distant or if lightning
strikes street utility wires.

Upgrade the ground conductor? I've read (here?) that 1/8" copper tubing
is superior to the (looks like) 12 ga. wire currently used in the phone and
power grounds.

Did you view 'bad, good, and ugly' figures from cinergy.com? That
earthing (in this case a 'right' solution) must conform to two masters.
One, for earthing transients (ie lightning). Two, to meet electrical
code defined in NEC Article 250 Section III (Artcile 250.50 through
250.70. Section III defines seven types of grounding electrodes and
numbers that apply including wire sizes.

For example, install a ground ring terminated by rod electrodes (8+'
copper clad steel rod). Since that ground ring has a ground rod where
each utility enters, then each utility can make a 'less than 10 foot'
connection to top of ground rod. Each rod is the same, large, single
point ground.

Code demands a ground ring be 2 AWG bare copper wire buried at least
30 inches. From your perspective, this so that ground wire is below
frost and remains in soil of constant humidity. Suggested is to obtain
of copy those five pages from an National Electrical Code book (maybe
in the library) to better appreciate what is required of each (of seven
type) electrodes.

Above to meet code. However grounding wires (to attach to that
single point ground) also must not have splices, no sharp bends, not
inside metallic conduit, routed away from all other non-earthing wires,
and must be firmly attached with proper connectors - for conditions
beyond what code requires. Best that all earthing wires remain
separate until all meet at the single point earth ground. Don't worry
about exceeding wire diameter. Worry more about wire length. Every
foot shorter than 10 feet means less electricity from lightning will
seek earth ground via household electronics.

Next part of that system would connect every wire from every incoming
cable to that earth ground. Telco has a protector from each (of two)
wires in cable to the ground wire. AC electric has three wires - only
one connects to earth directly. Therefore 'whole house' protector (see
manufacturer list that includes GE, Square D, etc) in AC mains box
connects other AC wires to that earthing wire.

Coax for cable TV and satellite dish use a ground block ($2 available
in Home Depot, Radio Shack, and Lowes) and 10 AWG wire for earthing.

jakdedert wrote:
Yes, I've had problems which I have detailed here before. Still, the
above (and snipped portions) still beg the question: It's gonna be at
least 20 feet of copper between the service and ground. Still better to
single point? That's the 'hit' I'm getting....

Anything would be better than what we have, right? Upgrade the ground
conductor? I've read (here?) that 1/8" copper tubing is superior to the
(looks like) 12 ga. wire currently used in the phone and power grounds.

From the above, I'd assume that 'anything' I did to lower (and
equalize?) the impedance to ground would be--even though not ideal--at
least an improvement. How about multiple ground rods, one at each
service drop--connected together with the aforementioned tubing?

I know that if I could get the telco to drop the lines in between the
cable and power drops, the job would be significantly simplified...and
yes, I have a 100'+ oak tree within 20' of the house.....