Center of Mass

I have never really that center of mass is the biggest determine in an objects balance. It makes more sense to me now why trees and buildings are able to withstand strong winds and earthquakes. This past week there were fairly strong gusts of wind able to knock over certain trees. This is because the wind caused the trees to sway and move the center of mass out of the baseline which caused it to tip over. Trees with big fatty roots and smaller trunks had its CM closer to the ground which made it more stable.