Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation
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| When you walk on the trail
at the top of Shell Ridge, notice how the trees are leaning away from the
direction of the wind from the west. There is almost always a wind up here
and model sailplane enthusiasts use this to great advantage. The trees, however,
are subject to two kinds of pressure—wind and desiccation, or drying. Winds
add pressure to the tree canopy and actually force the tree to lean away
from this force. Desiccation, however, is another, more subtle force. If,
on some calm day, a branch “decides” to grow in a westerly direction, it
will be subject to drying conditions as the wind starts again. This wind
will dry this new branch and it will soon wither and die. Branches that grow
within the canopy (which affords protection) of other branches have less
pressure on them and can grow more easily. Most people would think it is only the force of the wind that makes these trees bend away, but it is this combination of wind and drying that causes it. Therefore, watch for these two forces and their result as you hike along the top of Shell Ridge—and other windblown areas—seaside trees come to mind. Jerry Fritzke 6/21/03
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Wind-Pruned Oak
Click the picture for a larger image 
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