Tree Damage- Blowdown (Aspen), Minnesota, Itasca County, Chippewa National Forest, Lost Forty
The aspen on the road was a victim of high winds. My spouse and I were nearby in the forest approaching the road. We had cut short our hike because wind gusts were getting progressive stronger. We heard a cracking sound and the sound got louder as the branches of the falling tree took out branches of standing trees. We ran, reached the road, and the top of the tree hit the road about thirty feet behind us.
Strong winds can result in windbreak where the stem of trees are snapped off above the ground. In aspen stands even moderate wind can snap trees. For example, aspen may "lean" in the direction of the sun creating lopsided crowns. Individual trees in such a stand may be susceptible to windbreak. Also, on sites where trees have well developed root systems, and are well anchored they may break rather than be uprooted.
Tree Damage- Blowdown (Aspen), Minnesota, Itasca County, Chippewa National Forest, Lost Forty
The aspen on the road was a victim of high winds. My spouse and I were nearby in the forest approaching the road. We had cut short our hike because wind gusts were getting progressive stronger. We heard a cracking sound and the sound got louder as the branches of the falling tree took out branches of standing trees. We ran, reached the road, and the top of the tree hit the road about thirty feet behind us.
Strong winds can result in windbreak where the stem of trees are snapped off above the ground. In aspen stands even moderate wind can snap trees. For example, aspen may "lean" in the direction of the sun creating lopsided crowns. Individual trees in such a stand may be susceptible to windbreak. Also, on sites where trees have well developed root systems, and are well anchored they may break rather than be uprooted.