When a Tree Lands

When a Tree Lands

A falling tree is a real physics object, so what happens next depends on how it falls.

• Domino effect: a falling tree knocks down its smaller neighbors, which can knock down others.
• Canopy inertia: leaves burst off with the tree's momentum, dropping saplings, sticks and apples.
• Snapping wood: heavy branches break off on impact, and sometimes the whole trunk does.
• Watch your head: a falling tree hits as hard as it's heavy. A fast, heavy trunk can kill you.
• Rivers: logs float, and you can stand on them. They also drift with some drag, so a river can carry your wood.
• Slopes: trees roll and slide downhill.
• TNT: explosions launch trees instead of only breaking them.
• Plants in the way: bamboo and similar plants break as the tree passes through.
• Bees: bee nests fall with their tree, and the bees are not happy about it.