Some trees that grow in soft, wet ground or very thin soil sometimes develop buttress roots, which stop them from blowing over inn strong winds. These roots are like very large, flattened plates that stiffen the base of the tree. Some trees which grow in very stony ground produce roots that actually run over the surface of the ground in search of softer soil .In this way they grip the rocky surface to stabilize the tree against the effects of winds.
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