I think Al has a point. Taking the article at face value COULD cost you. It could also inform you. It all comes down to the reader actually thinking about the underlying idea of what's being discussed, applying the technique intelligently and not applying it universally.
I read Will's article and thought "I never do any of that, but I know some people that do." While leaving a "microclimate" on a collected pine may help the tree recover, it can kill a decidous tree--or some conifers--at least that's been my experience. I see people that have collected HUUUUGE rootballs on trees and left the dirt on them. Those trees died as the "microclimate" turned into a "microbog" and suffocated the roots in the container over a period of years.
On the other hand, the "microclimate" thing is really about not disturbing the rootball too much, which some pines appreciate. Bare rooting the majorit of pine species at collection will kill them for the most part. I bareroot older deciduous trees at collection--hornbeam, black cherry, and some others. I don't bareroot other trees, like American Beech, which aren't quite as vigorous.
All of this depends largely on local conditions, species, health of the tree and experience of the collector. Articles like this can help, but applying them by rote in all situations (which I don't think Will recommended) might be a little problematic.
As for hurricane styled trees, it is a bit hit and miss. The Bradford pears that were "styled" by Hurricane Isabel here a couple of years ago are pretty unsightly, like upturned, mutilated octopuses only three arms left. Ick.
