trees and wind.
The tree that blew out of the ground in my yard was Cytisus
battandieri which was on the front of the property in the teeth of
our infrequent northeasterlies. (Our prevailing winds are
southwesterlies). I planted its replacement in a more sheltered place
in the back yard, and it's been fine for many years.
Trees develop strength for the prevailing winds. An unusual wind can
take out big trees. A couple of years ago large trees were snapped
off mid-trunk by a storm from an unusual direction.
Some of our native trees (Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii) grow
shallow roots. When some are cut, there can be massive blow-downs of
the uncut ones.
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8 Sunset zone 5 cool mediterranean climate
