Wind greatly affects plants throughout their growth. When plants are seedlings, slight breezes help them grow more sturdy. Wind at gale force can damage or even break and blow down the strongest tree. Depending on where in the world you live, this storm damage can occur in winter, summer, fall or early spring. Winter wind is particularly damaging because plants are unable to replace the water they lose and become desiccated. The process is similar to an ice cube left in the freezer--although it doesn't melt, it will gradually become smaller.In many areas, wind causes more winter plant desiccation than sun.

Wind pollination is called anemophily as is common in conifers and many of the world's crop plants.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service