How do the trees know that it's windy?

Today I was coaching at a climbing competition and fueled by lack of sleep and overstimulation I said to one of the climbers I coach,

"Look out the window. See the trees? How do the trees know that it's windy out?"

How do the trees know that it's windy??

Because, because because

Right? Because the trees don't know that it's windy out. Obviously. It is windy out and the leaves are blowing in the wind. It's humans that are always trying to know if it's windy out. Not windy--like windy--but like 'oh me oh me oh my what should I be doing? Am I doing the right thing? Am I doing it the right way?" We're always trying to figure out how windy it is and if our leaves are blowing too much or not enough or the right way or the wrong way. 

How silly would it be for a tree to be anxious or uncertain about the wind. A tree just trees.

But what about all my precious choices and decisions??? You cry.

Nah. If it's calm-be still. If it's windy-- sway and rustle. Make fruit and grow.

Yeah but trees don't really do anything.

Trees do so so so much! All the time. Just most of it isn't labor that can be exploited efficiently. Or confer status. Trees do real stuff that make the planet habitable and nice to be in. Nerd. 

Anyway there you go there's your discount Alan Watts and Ram Dass for the day I'm gonna go eat potatoes.