It’s probably just for physological comfort but I do push on the tree to see if I can feel any movement. And I should look up more. The kinds of trees we have around here seldom have any hanging branches - but it only takes one. It’s sobering to walk in a park after a windstorm and see a HUGE Ponderosa Pine on it’s side. This area is a little dirt on top of a lot of Lava rock so roots can’t get down too far.

It’s a control device for Aspen. Once they get a bit of foliage, their roots can’t hold the wind load and over they go.

Remember, not only can you walk on (past the deadfall), you can also walk back - before the stand - to healthier trees.