timberline

[ tim-ber-lahyn ]

noun

1. the altitude above sea level at which timber ceases to grow.
2. the Arctic or Antarctic limit of tree growth.

timberline

/ ˈtɪmbəˌlaɪn /

noun

1. the altitudinal or latitudinal limit of normal tree growth See also tree line

timberline

/ tĭm′bər-līn′ /

1. A geographic boundary beyond which trees cannot grow. On the Earth as a whole, the timberline is the northernmost or southernmost latitude at which trees can survive; in a mountainous region, it is the highest elevation at which trees can survive.
2. Also called tree line

Word History and Origins

Origin of timberline¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; timber + line ¹

Example Sentences

Found from the coast to the timberline, blueberries are in the same family as the huckleberry.

From Seattle Times

State Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schulz said the campground will be built on former agricultural land on the gorge’s timberline.

From Seattle Times

The Polar Star Inn is just below timberline on the west side of New York Mountain.

From Washington Times

The portrait of Sessions is of a man for whom merely ordering lunch seems to be above the timberline of his intellect and curiosity.

From New York Times

Hood to Coast is a 35-leg relay that starts at the timberline Lodge on Mount Hood and ends at the coast in Seaside.

From Washington Times