CHAPTER XXXI 
STRUGGLES AGAINST WIND 
WHILE the wind is of very great help to many plants 
in scattermg their seed, and thus giving rise to new 
and young individuals, it is often an enemy against 
which plants have to contend. Hurricanes and storms 
sometimes sweep down large tracts of forest trees. In 
some localities there are prevailing winds from one 
direction. These winds are so frequent and of such 
force that the tree cannot maintain its normal erect 
and symmetrical growth. Such prevailing winds often 
occur along the seacoast or near large lakes, and in 
mountainous regions, where there are certain well- 
established and marked differences in temperature and 
alr pressures which tend to create continuous currents 
in definite directions. 
In some places along the seacoast and on mountain 
heights, especially on the sides of mountains or on 
elevations in mountain passes, the strong winds are 
nearly all from one direction and of such force that the 
entire tree leans with the wind; or the trunk may 
grow erect while all the branches are on the leeward 
side. The young lithe branches which come out on 
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