The coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera) does something that very few trees do. It leans into wind.
Most trees have trunks that will bend away from the wind. A trunk that leans downwind is less exposed and structurally better for surviving strong winds. But the coconut palm is a rebel. Its trunk bends into wind.
Strictly speaking, the palm is growing towards the light (phototropism) not the wind, but since they grow best at the edge of tropical islands, the effect is the same, as most coastline trees are exposed to strongest winds from the sea.
Why does it do this? It is a bit odd for a tree to grow in a way that makes it more exposed and more vulnerable to storms from the sea.
There is a good reason. The palm tree needs to drop its seed, the coconut, as close to the water as possible. Many seeds are carried by wind or animals, but coconuts are taken to start a new life elsewhere, often on another island, by sea currents.
Besides, coconut palms are very sturdy individuals. It takes an extraordinarily strong wind to threaten them. A gale will shake some coconuts out of the tree, but is unlikely to tug hard enough at the roots to cause any problems. A storm will flatten a lot of other species before troubling the tough palm.
It is very likely you know where the sea is already if you can see coconut palms, but if not, remember they grow towards the light, usually the open skies of the ocean and away from the darkness of other trees.
If you look closely, you’ll actually notice that the main trunk leans towards the sea, but the very top bends back slightly towards the land. This is the result of the light and wind working in opposite directions. The top of the tree bears the brunt of the strongest winds.
Username: Bongsong Published on 2024-10-07 03:03:11 ID NUMBER: 122411
A medium to large, adaptable, long-lived tree with a wide, spreading crown which may reach a height of 40-60 feet on favorable sites. Produces acorns which are utilized by a wide variety of wildlife.
A very tall shrub to small tree native to western Asia. Slightly larger in stature than Amur maple, but with slightly duller foilage and yellowish fall color. Attractive rosy-red seds. The largest tree in North Dakota is 24 feet tall with a canopy spread of 27 feet.
A medium to large tree with spreading branches forming a variably rounded to informally spreading crown. A fast-growing tree subject to iron and manganese chlorosis on high PH soils which may cause dieback or eventual death. Often called soft maple because the wood is the softest of the maples used for lumber. Native to Minnesota, the largest tree in North Dakota is 66 feet tall with a canopy spread of 72 feet.
A large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree native to northern Asia which may reach 15-20 feet in height and spread. Noted for its attractive autumn color of yellow, orange, or red.
Medium-sized tree native to Europe, with a strikingly dense pyramidal to rounded crown. Desirable specimen tree in the landscape. The flowers are highly fragrant and attractive to bees. The largest tree in North Dakota is 35 feet tall with a canopy spread of 32 feet.
A medium to large tree native east of the Missouri River in North Dakota. Desirable as a landscape tree for its large stature, shade and aromatic flowers. Fruit with attached pale-green bract, gives tree a two-tone appearance in late summer. The largest tree in North Daktoa is 75 feet tall with a canopy spready of 64 feet.
A medium to large spreading tree reaching 45 to 75 feet in height on good sites, adaptable to variable soil conditions. Foliage is pinnately compound, fruit is a long brown pod. Produces
hardy seedlings of the variety inermis, which are mostly thornless. Climatic zones 4 and warmer. Not hardy in zone 3. Native to the central and eastern U.S.
Broadly rounded, low-branched tree with wide-spreading, horizontal branches which are densely set This species performs well in North Dakota. Attractive white flowers and red fruit, thorny stems.
A medium to large tree with a spreading crown reaching a height of 35-55 feet. Fruit is a small dark berry utilized by wildlife. It is native to the eastern and midwestern United States.
A very hardy, fast growing tree with brittle wood which is subject to breakage. Extremely susceptible to insect, disease, and herbicide damage, which makes it an undesirable tree. Often confused with Chinese elm which is not hardy in North Dakota. The largest tree in North Dakota is 60 feet tall with a canopy spread of 55 feet.
The state tree of North Dakota. A large vase-shaped ree adapted to a wide variety of sites. No longer recommended because of its susceptibility to Dutch Elm Disease. This may change as
resistance cultivars become known. The largest tree in North Dakota is 62 feet tall with a canopy spread of 74 feet.
A small to medium sized, roundheaded tree reaching a height of 15 to 25 feet. It is native from northeastern Asia to northern China. Siberian crabapple is the hardiest species of the Malus genus and produces white flowers.
A variable seed propagated strain of crabapple reaching 15 to 25 feet in height and width, variable fruit size, foliage green to red in color. Excellent wildlife plant.
Cultivar: `MIDWEST' MANCHURIAN CRABAPPLE - a hardy, uniform seed propagated selection from USDA Bismarck, PMC. A small to medium sized, roundheaded tree reaching a height of 15 to 25 feet. It is native from northeastern Asia to northern China. White flowers appear in May followed by the 1/4' to 1/2' yellow or red fruits in October.
has very large dark purple fruit that is packed with flavor as crabs go. These apples make great jellies and some add the juice to ciders as a secret ingredient. Fruit is easy for wildlife to get to as this crab will drop its fruit.
Selection from South Dakota State University. A large, vigorous, cottonless male tree to 70 feet in height on favorable sites, spreading crown in open areas but with a tall, central trunk when crowded. Selected for leaf rust resistance.
A large spreading tree reaching 60 to 90 feet in height and 40 to 60 feet in spread. This native specie occurs along waterways and wet meadows throughout the Plains states. Greater drought and alkalinity tolerance than many of the euramericana hybrid poplar cultivars. Produces seed in tufts of "cotton".
A medium to large szed tree native to the eastern United States, considered borderline hardy for most of North Dakota except the southeastern quarter. An attractive tree with "orchidlike" flowers. Further east, catalpa can become a very large tree, but in North Dakota it rarely exceeds 40 feet.
A medium sized spreading tree reaching 25 to 40 feet in height and spread on favorable sites. Leaves are palmately compound, fruit is an inedible nut produced in a husk which splits at maturity.
