The Forestry Forum

Bought property recently and there are quite a number of large trees down due to strong windstorms over the past few years. These were all healthy, big trees. Like, 24" to 32" DBH and very tall. I find it hard to believe not a single sweetgum is down, I didn't think they were particularly strong. And I thought oaks were strong, but every single tree is an oak! Red oak and white oak. I note that these downed trees have huge root balls and there is not taproot at all, just shallow roots. Is this why they fall? Are there any oaks that have a taproot in case I want to replant with oaks?

oaks don't have a tap root, its all on top. sweet gum has a long tap root. if you see a gum blown over you better not drive any thing in there, its muck.