Subalpine zone facts for kids

The subalpine zone is a special area found on mountains, just below where trees can no longer grow. This upper limit for trees is called the tree line. In the subalpine zone, you'll find plants and trees that are tough enough to survive the cold, strong winds, and heavy snow.

The types of plants and trees you see in the subalpine zone depend on where you are in the world. For example, in Australia, you might find Snow Gum trees. In western North America, you could see Subalpine Larch, Mountain Hemlock, and Subalpine Fir trees.

A Subalpine Fir tree growing in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA.

Life in the Subalpine Zone

Trees in the subalpine zone often look a bit different from trees in other places. They can be crooked, stunted (meaning they don't grow very tall), and twisted. This happens because of the harsh weather conditions they face.

How Trees Survive

At the tree line, young tree seedlings often start growing on the side of rocks that are protected from the wind. This sheltered spot is called the "lee" side. The rock acts like a shield, letting the tiny tree grow only as tall as the rock itself.

As these trees get older, they tend to grow more sideways than upwards. Their branches might even touch the ground and grow new roots, helping the tree spread out. Heavy snow acts like a warm blanket in winter, protecting the lower parts of the trees. However, branches that stick out above the snow or wind-shelters can get damaged or even destroyed by the strong winds and cold. Some of these tough, well-established trees can live for hundreds or even a thousand years!

Other Plants in the Zone

Besides trees, you can also find wide-open grasslands and different kinds of shrubs in the subalpine zone. For example, Tuolumne Meadows in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California is a beautiful subalpine meadow.

Images for kids

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  Waimea Canyon, Hawaii is known for its montane vegetation.

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  Temperate montane forest in Bavaria, Germany

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  Iranian oak scrub in the Zagros Mountains

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  Tropical montane forest at around 2,000 m in Malaysia

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  Alpine flora near Cascade Pass

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  Alpine landscape below Malyovitsa Peak, Rila Mountain, Bulgaria

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  An alpine mire in the Swiss Alps

Montane ecology#Subalpine zone