In the natural world, however, the fall of a tree is part of a complex system. There are many questions to be answered to determine what causes a tree to fall: How solid is the soil that holds up the tree? How much clay and how much sand? How much organic matter? Answers to these questions can tell us how deep the tree’s roots can penetrate, and how strong and well-founded the tree’s roots can be. And a tree’s fall is not just dependent on the tree itself. The tree is part of an overall ecosystem. Are there burrowing animals that have destabilized the ground the tree stands on? Are there
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