What Is the Treeline?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is the treeline?

The Big Idea

The treeline is the height above which trees cannot grow! Below it is forest, and above it are small plants and rock. Why do the trees stop? Three things work together.

Too Cold

Step one: too cold. High on a mountain, the air is too cold for trees to grow tall. Cold slows down how fast a tree can make food and grow, so young trees struggle to survive.

Windy and Dry

Step two: windy and dry. Strong winds dry out leaves and branches. Frozen ground makes it hard for roots to drink water, too.

Short Summers

Step three: short summers. The summers are too short for trees to make enough food. So above the line, only small plants and rock remain, and the view opens up wide.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Below the line, forests grow tall. Right at the line, trees get short and twisted, and then stop. Above it, small plants hug the ground. And higher still, there is mostly rock.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! In the Canadian Rockies near Banff, the treeline is around 7,000 feet. Treeline gets lower as you go farther north. In the Arctic, it can be near sea level. It can slowly move up or down when the climate changes over many years.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Look at a photo of a mountain with a treeline. Run your finger along the line where the trees stop. What do you see above it? Tell a grown-up! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

The treeline is where trees reach their limit. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!