THE STEM AND THE LEAF 



43 



FIG. 28. Cottonwood trees on the day after a sleet storm 

 Many branches have been broken off by the weight of the sleet 



individual in the interior of the field or forest is much sheltered 

 from the wind by its neighbors, and all together present enough 

 resistance partially to impede the wind. Scientific foresters in 

 clearing the trees off a large tract begin on the sheltered side and 

 cut toward the quarter from which severe storms usually come. 



