ISA Certified Arborist Practice Exam

How can wind affect trees during severe weather conditions?

1. It can cause photosynthesis to increase

2. It can lead to tree failure through uprooting or branch breakage

3. It can promote seed dispersal

4. It has no significant effect on tree health

The correct answer is: It can lead to tree failure through uprooting or branch breakage

Wind plays a significant role in the structural integrity and stability of trees, particularly during severe weather conditions such as storms or hurricanes. High winds can exert tremendous force on tree trunks and branches, leading to physical damage. This damage may manifest as uprooting, where the entire tree is dislodged from the ground, or branch breakage, where limbs snap due to the stress of the wind. Uprooting typically occurs when the anchoring roots are unable to withstand the lateral forces applied by strong winds, especially if the soil is saturated with water, which reduces the friction and stability that roots provide. Branch breakage can happen as the tree's limbs are bent past their elastic limit, resulting in splintered or broken branches. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the impact of wind on trees in severe weather. While photosynthesis can be influenced by a variety of environmental factors, wind itself does not lead to an increase in photosynthetic activity during storms. Additionally, while wind can indeed promote seed dispersal for certain species, during severe weather, the focus is more on the damaging effects wind has on existing trees rather than the dispersal of seeds. Lastly, claiming that wind has no significant effect on tree health overlooks the critical threats posed