 Poster: A snowHead
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I reckon the tree line is around 1800m in the Alps, however it must be a lot lower in the UK/ Scotland.
Why is this as we have a milder climate?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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johnboy, I've no idea but I suppose it could be because we have shorter days or possibly higher winds, or it could just be that the conditions don't suit the native variety of trees
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I suppose our summer temps are alot lower than the continent?
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Where i go skiing in France the treeline stops at about 2100m on the north facing slopes. But I think it is lower on the south facing slopes. The bottom of the resort is completly tree clad and that is at an altitude of 1800m.
I don't know why it is lower in the UK.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Trees grow in the summertime - in summer the UK (especially the hilly bits) are much cooler than the alps at the same altitude. At 1200m in the UK (Scotland) it is too cold for anything other than hardy sub-artic plants to grow in the summer.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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The old (well, new then, but now old, as in 'former') Alpine House in Kew Gardens had a little diagram showing the tree line in various ranges. The height of the tree line seemed to be roughly in proportion to the heights of the mountains. Thus, the tree line in Scotland is lower than in the Alps is lower than in the Himalayas. Can't imagine how the trees know the height of their mountain, but there it is.
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With respect I don't think that's correct. Many mountains in North America are forested all over. This Wikipedia entry gives some factors that influence treelines:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_line
The lowest treeline quoted in the table in that article is Sweden at 800m (though Sweden's latitudes vary enormously, and the treeline in southern Sweden must be way different to arctic Sweden).
In the Scottish highlands I think the treeline is significantly lower than that - about 500m, I'd estimate from observations.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sun 20-01-08 23:48; edited 1 time in total
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richmond, but that's also roughly in proportion to latitude (actually, 90-latitude) which I suspect is the important factor.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I'd take a guess and suggest it might be something to do with deforestation in the 17th & 18th centuries... Scotland was once covered in trees but they were all chopped down for wood to make ships and nice chairs and tables for our great great great great great great grandads dining rooms. I seem to remember something about my great great great grandad having a lovely scots pine chopped down in 1888 cause he wanted a new pair of skis! 
"I reckon the tree line is around 1800m in the Alps, however it must be a lot lower in the UK/ Scotland."
Considering that the highest point in the UK is 1,344 metres, it's not surprising that we don't have any trees above that!
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| David Goldsmith wrote: |
| With respect I don't think that's correct. |
The bit about the diagram in the Apline House at Kew is. What it says about the treeline may not be.
| laundryman wrote: |
| richmond, but that's also roughly in proportion to latitude (actually, 90-latitude) which I suspect is the important factor. |
Sounds plausible.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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richmond, I think distance from the coast may also play a part.
Certainly one of the chief reasons I ski more in N America than Europe is the much higher tree line (2800m ish in the Rockies ?) and the opportunities/visiblility/landscape that leads to.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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As an aside, historical tree ring data from samples near the tree line provide an important proxy for temperature in climate research - though the precise interpretation of the data is a raging controversy. Anyone wanting to get into that should google "bristlecone pine".
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| shoogly wrote: |
| I'd take a guess and suggest it might be something to do with deforestation in the 17th & 18th centuries... Scotland was once covered in trees but they were all chopped down for wood to make ships and nice chairs and tables for our great great great great great great grandads dining rooms. |
this is what I thought the answer was
are there any natural tree lines in Scotland? not holding myself out as an expert on Scottish forestation but just interested
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