18 Beautiful Trees That Can Survive In Extremely Windy Environments

If you live in an area that experiences hurricanes, tornados, snowstorms, or just the occasional windy night, you've likely seen a fallen tree that had been completely destroyed by wind. Falling trees can damage property, hit power lines that leave people without electricity, and even result in the loss of life. It's important to avoid planting these popular trees too close to your house, but planting wind-resistant trees might also prevent these catastrophes. Luckily, many beautiful trees also have deep roots and are proven to withstand high-wind environments. 

A few factors will make any type of tree more or less resistant to wind. If there are any signs of disease or decay, even the heartiest tree can fall in bad weather. So you want the wood to be strong. Additionally, if a tree doesn't have enough room for its roots to spread, it won't develop the strong foundation it needs to survive in harsh conditions. It is common in urban areas for trees to be planted in cramped spaces that don't have enough room in the ground, both vertically and horizontally, for the tree to anchor fully. Certain species of trees can survive and even thrive in windy conditions if given room to grow. These trees are also beautiful and diverse. From sprawling branches to flowering varieties, these trees are gorgeous to look at and able to survive in extremely windy conditions.

Dogwoods dot the landscape in the spring when their stark white flowers bloom, making the tree look like something out of a fantasy novel. But while its flowers look delicate, underneath lies a strong tree that can survive windy conditions. However, despite its heartiness to weather, it's extremely picky about soil quality and watering conditions. They are also very susceptible to disease. But if you are willing to deal with these factors, you will be rewarded with a tree that blooms beautifully in the spring and lasts throughout the hurricane season.

Sycamore trees are known for their distinct peeling bark that paints the tree in shades of white, gray, and tan. Native to California, it's easy to learn how to successfully grow sycamore trees. They can grow up to 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide if given enough room. As long as they have enough water, western sycamores can survive in a variety of soil types and high wind conditions. They are a beautiful addition to any landscape, with large leaves dotting the branches in the summer that change to deep shades of yellow in the fall.

Maple trees are good for more than just syrup. They can withstand high winds, and the Norway maple is the heartiest of all. Most maple trees can grow in extreme conditions like drought, flooding, and high winds that would kill the surrounding trees, but the Norway maple will remain standing. These trees are magnificent in the autumn when their leaves change from green to yellow (or red, for other varieties), creating a cozy fall vibe. And if you want to try harvesting their sap to make your own syrup, well, that's an added bonus.

With a slender trunk, you might think that a palm tree would be the first thing to snap in half during a brutal storm. But they can actually withstand winds over 100 miles per hour. The palm tree's flexible core allows the trunk to bend in the wind without snapping. The small fronds at the top of the tree also increase the tree's wind resistance, helping the tree shed water while also being thin enough to let wind pass through. This reduces the force of the wind and rain and allows it to remain flexible with minimal damage.

With their soft, rounded leaves, valley oaks are the largest North American oaks, but still very wind-resistant. Their branches are long and grow irregularly, creating a sprawling, mysterious look. Like the live oak, they are fairly adaptable to different growing conditions but require more consistent water. They produce acorns, which drop in the fall, attracting a variety of wildlife, including birds and squirrels. In fact, many birds will be attracted to an oak tree, which is one of the trees most likely to attract blue jays.

Holly has many uses beyond being a festive decoration, and one of them is providing protection from the wind. American holly is best known for the bright red holly berries that appear each autumn, but it's a beautiful tree year-round as it cycles through the delicate white spring blooms and shiny leaves of summer. Because it grows in a cone shape, it is bottom-heavy, making it much more resistant to windy environments. The wind whips in a circular pattern around the tree, making any potential damage much less likely.

If you live in an area where tornadoes are common, then you likely have some American sweetgum trees in your neighborhood. They are known for being hardy enough to survive a tornado, thanks to their deep roots and short, stout branches. A sweetgum tree will likely have a much greater chance of survival during a storm event than its surrounding foliage. It's an easy tree to care for as long as you learn the best time of year to prune your sweetgum tree and how to prune it properly.

While most fruit trees don't hold up the best in extreme wind, persimmon trees are fairly hearty when it comes to the elements. Even if the tree itself won't budge, the high wind will undoubtedly blow off all the persimmon fruits, so you will want to harvest those as soon as they are ripe to eat or turn into a delicious dessert. Not only will your persimmon tree survive the cold, but some folklore suggests how persimmon seeds can predict winter weather. Now, that's a fruit in tune with the seasons.

Another variation of cone-shaped trees that are particularly adept at handling windy conditions is the eastern red cedar. It can also tolerate wind, drought, and pollution. In the late fall, it will sprout blue juniper berries that will attract many birds and mammals looking to squeeze in a snack before winter. The open branches of the eastern red cedar can extend all the way to the ground, providing great protection not just from the wind but also for birds looking to build their nests in a safe space.