Whoa, TIL http://www.sustland.umn.edu/implement/planting.html

Having lived in a very hurricane-prone area of the southeastern US for most of my life, I can verify that tree roots are not a mirror of the above-ground portion.

Any pictures?

Not personal photos, but here are some examples:

http://www.cclockwood.com/stockimages/WE-HURRICANE-GUSTAV-46...

http://www.doc.state.nc.us/news/scrapbk/David-1.jpg

http://www.city-data.com/disaster-photos/photos/220.jpg

http://www.cclockwood.com/stockimages/WE-HURRICANE-GUSTAV-46...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6YoyhPEom8/Tlpzy9dkJII/AAAAAAAABY...

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/05/20/46/1378705/5/628x471.jpg

Google something like: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hurricane+trees+do...

Edit: Horrible formatting job, and to say that Pine trees were the worst offenders in our area.

I grew up in south florida and have witnessed a bunch of root walls, but It really depends on the tree.

Palm trees for examples have deep root structures and small canopies which is how they survive the strong tropical winds.

Correct, there are certain exceptions.

I believe the point of this rabbit trail was to correct that notion that root formations are mirrors (or otherwise similar) of the tree trunks/canopies. At least, that's what I was hoping to show.

Yeah, absolutely. Just providing some additional info.

Pines too often have a big and strong main root. It's for collecting water from deep layers. It can be all-most as thick as the tree itself.