Trees That Withstand Wind

Pines with flexible branches resist wind damage.

To stand up to wind, trees need flexible, spreading branches and a low center of gravity. Broad eaves catch wind, leading to damage, while narrow, small or waxy foliage decreases moisture loss in windy conditions and lets wind pass through more easily. Slow-growing trees have dense, strong wood, which lends them strength to withstand winds. Native trees tend to offer more wind resistance as they are inherently adapted to the wind conditions in their indigenous region.

Oaks

Some native oak species (Quercus spp.) tolerate windy sites. The sand live oak (Q. geminata) grows naturally in coastal areas that often experience high winds. This native tree grows to 20-feet tall and has dark, glossy, narrow foliage with rolled margins. It grows in a variety of soils and light exposures. The live oak (Q. virginiana) also tolerates wind and salt. This evergreen grows to 50-feet tall with an 80-foot spread and has small, leathery foliage. It thrives in full sun and a range of soils. Both oaks are hardy in zones 7 to 10.

Pines

Several species in the Pinus genus tolerate windy sites. The jack pine (P. banksiana) grows to 50-feet tall with a slightly narrow spread. This evergreen has small, dark needles that turn yellow-green in winter. It tolerates sand, poor soil and drought as well as wind. The mugo pine (P. mugo) grows slowly to 20-feet tall with a 30-foot spread. It grows best in deep, moist soil and full sun and has small, dark curved needles. The ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) grows to 100 feet with a 30-foot spread. This pyramidal conifer has long, curved needles and produces clusters of 6-inch long, red-brown cones. Ponderosa pines thrive in sunny sites with moist, well-draining soil. They tolerate wind, drought and salt.

Other Deciduous

The hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) tolerates windy sites and a range of soils. This native deciduous tree grows to 80-feet tall with a similar spread and has small, glossy foliage. It attracts birds with its orange-black fruits. The trident maple (Acer buergeranum) tolerates wind, drought, air pollution and compacted soil. This tough tree grows to 35 feet and has small, deciduous, tri-lobed foliage that turns red, orange and yellow in fall. It grows best in sun and well-drained soil. Other wind-tolerant deciduous trees include the American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) and the Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus).

Other Evergreens

The native Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) grows to 40-feet tall with a narrow 15-foot spread. This evergreen has dark to blue-green, feathery foliage and produces tiny blue bird-attracting cones. It thrives in sunny, well-drained sites. The eastern redcedar (J. virinigana) tolerates wind, drought, heat and a range of soils. This native tree has tiny, scale-like foliage and attracts birds with its blue berries. Eastern red cedars grow to 40-feet tall with a 20-foot spread. Other wind-tolerant evergreens include sabal palms (Sabal palmetto), Southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) and Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii).

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Wind Tolerant Trees and Shrubs; Kathy Roth; May 12 2007
• Purdue University; Storms and Trees; Rita McKenzie; August 2000
• Colorado State University Extension; Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas; J. Klett, et al.; September 2011
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Wind and Trees: Surveys of Tree Damage in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricanes Erin and Opal; Mary L. Duryea; May 1997
• University of Minnesota Extension; Choosing Landscape Evergreens; Jeffrey Gillman, et al; 2009
• NC State University; Trees; Erv Evans

Resources

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Assessing Damage and Restoring Trees After a Hurricane; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; July 2006