If the tree did grow so fast that it doubled it's planting size, you are most likely correct about the wind. If your root system is no better than the symptoms indicated, it is a wonder the tree did not blow over during those storms.

Maples are such fast growers, and the largest fastest growing ones usually have extensive, shallow roots. In only one month of a maple seed hitting the ground in my yard, I find the seed has germinated and grown into an at least one foot tall sapling that I can very easily with almost no effort pull out of the ground. Any oak saplings that I try to pull out once they get 5 or 6 inches tall, takes all my strength pulling on them and at best the trunk just breaks off from the root. I have to use a pitch fork if I want the get those Oak sapling roots out of the ground.

I also have one of those sumard oak saplings, which almost 10 years ago at that time I transplanted to a better growing spot. Today the tree is full and just over 16 foot tall and never has been staked.

Early on for the first several years that oak was growing my young daughter nicknamed it the stick. Winds pounded on that tree almost every year. When it grew 10 feet tall and I raised the lower branches, the tree took on a top heavy appearance for a while. During that time such strong north south winds would often make the canopy bend almost to the ground. Yet with all this the tree's trunk never broke. The roots never loosened, the tree never got blown off center. I often marveled at the trees ability to stand straight and tall once the relentless seemingly steady winds finished blowing it toward one direction for a week or more. I do not know why the tissues in the trunk of that oak were not damaged with all that wind force so often bearing against it. The soil this tree grows in is also heavy clay that gets hard as rock if it is allowed to dry completely.

There is a seven gallon 7 foot tall potted Black Tupelo, that I am holding to be planted at my daughter's home this coming fall. Black Tupelos are also hardwood trees. I have it sitting under the above described Sumard oak tree. When the wind blows both of those trees it is a marvel to see both standing straight and tall once such forceful winds have ceased.

I know it is hard to think of waiting for hard wood trees to grow large enough to provide shade, but I have so many times found multiple reason why I am glad that I chose that route. Today my hardwoods are beautiful and tall and hold the promise of many more years of life. Most of the maples that were planted back when I planted my trees have either been broken by storm winds, blown over, or lots of the ones still standing look like they are near the end and needing to be replaced. I feel good to know that when I eventually sell my house, the new owners will only need to take those hardwood trees down if they want to create a different style of landscape. But, if they happen to love the benefits of the trees as much as I do, My hardwood trees contain the potential to stand tall for them and even for generations to come.