Disappearing Forest?

[Jeff]

I would think that storm winds are usually not out of the normal direction. I think that is one of the reasons why a tree is more prone to damage during a storm, not just velocity, but the unique direction.

[Ron Scott]

Yes, one needs to be concerned with wind from all cardinal directions. Thin lightly along the edges in the transition zones with the adjoining areas. The major part of the stand will be marked to the appropriate basal area however. The prevailing wind may be west and the trees wind firm more so to that direction, but the once in awhile southeastern will knock them down. Even with the best of planning, a storm down draft may also clear some patches in the stand's interior, thus we have some diversity from mother nature.  

[L. Wakefield]

   I'm fairly sure that the stand I have observed is white pine.

  Granted that trees are woody perennials; still, one of the things I learned early as a gardener is that either the blowing of a fan over seedlings; or even brushing your hand over them- will strengthen them from the beneficial stress. I picture the optimum setting for this type of stress to occur for (pine) trees is as seedlings in open areas.

  But that counters what I have been taught about having them grow close together in order to produces limbless lengths of trunk. I probably would end up with a field of incredibly strong 'pasture pine' that would be use;ess for lumber.             LW