Why can shallow-rooted trees be blown down during heavy rain and strong winds?

In temperate forests, many trees have evolved shallow root systems, often forming a "root plate" just beneath the soil surface to efficiently access nutrients from decomposing litter and avoid deeper, potentially waterlogged soil layers.1

However, these shallow-rooted trees are particularly vulnerable to being blown over during storms. When heavy rain occurs, the soil becomes more plastic—meaning it loses its structural stability and firmness. Because the roots do not extend deep into the ground to anchor the tree securely, the weakened, saturated soil cannot provide enough resistance against the force of strong winds, causing the tree to topple.1