How to recognise it
The signs are a tree leaning in a new direction, soil heaving up on the side away from the lean, and cracks in the ground, lawn or paving near the base. A tree that stands at an angle but has a curved, long-established top is probably an old lean. A tree whose lean is recent, with lifting soil and exposed roots, is a different matter and needs a look right away. Our guide on a tree leaning toward the house has the checks.
The part of the root system that anchors a tree is the root plate. In windthrow, that plate lifts.
Why it matters in Northern Nevada
The Washoe Zephyr and strong downslope winds along the Sierra front are real forces, and the trees that go over are often the ones whose roots are limited by sidewalks, fences, trenches or shallow soil, or whose crowns carry wet snow. Irrigated lawn trees grow roots shallow, since they find water near the surface. A storm after a wet period is a classic setup. See Washoe Zephyr and downslope winds.
Trees in groups often lose their shelter when a neighbouring tree is removed, so a tree that was fine for decades can be suddenly exposed.
What an arborist does about it
After windthrow, the first priority is people: keep clear, and call 911 if anyone is hurt and NV Energy if a line is involved. Then call us on the 24-hour line, 775.232.8243. A fallen tree on a structure, driveway or road is cleared by section, and a leaning tree that has not yet fallen is assessed for whether it can be saved or must come down. Not every lifting tree can be re-set, and an arborist will tell you honestly which kind you have.
Sources
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Storm-Related Tree Damage (brochure) (read October 17, 2026)