: the upper limit of arboreal growth in mountains or high latitudes
called alsotree line
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebHike it to the top of Mount Abe, one of the state’s five 4,000-foot peaks; the rocky summit pokes above the timberline and offers stunning 360-degree views that span from the Adirondacks in the west to New Hampshire’s White Mountains in the east. The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Aug. 2020 The trail wanders up and down above timberline for several miles before dropping back into black spruce thickets on its way to the lonesome outpost at Mile 101 on the Steese Highway. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Oct. 2020 The calving grounds habitually used are located above timberline. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 May 2020 The trailhead is at 11,500 feet near timberline and the trail tops out at 12,800 feet. John Meyer, The Denver Post, 17 July 2019 The east end of the Denali Highway is above timberline immediately out of Paxson. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Dec. 2019 The easier higher slopes gave way below the timberline to defiles lined with tree roots and narrow ravines. Simon Akam, Outside Online, 27 Nov. 2019 Boreal toads live in Rocky Mountain wetlands above 8,000 feet up to timberline. Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 13 July 2019 In the mountains, windy especially above timberline with isolated thunderstorms. Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 19 June 2019 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
timberline
noun
tim·ber·line ˈtim-bər-ˌlīn
: the upper limit beyond which trees do not grow (as on mountains)