A Walk with The Arborist: Above the Trees
Updated: Oct 2
What Mount Washington Teaches Us About Pruning
During a recent filming of “Walk With the Arborist,” host Scott took a ride on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. As the train climbed higher, the surrounding forest began to change. Tall trees gave way to much shorter, denser growth shaped by the mountain’s harsh conditions.
These stunted trees offer more than a memorable view. Their compact forms demonstrate how trees respond to wind, snow, ice, and exposure—and how observing nature can help arborists make thoughtful pruning decisions closer to home.
Entering Mount Washington’s Alpine Zone
Near the tree line on Mount Washington, growing conditions become increasingly difficult. Temperatures are colder, the growing season is shorter, and trees are regularly exposed to intense wind, blowing snow, and ice.
As Scott points out in the video, the trees become noticeably shorter as the Cog Railway climbs. Instead of growing tall and upright, they remain close to the ground, with dense, twisted limbs that help them persist in an unforgiving environment.
The area extending from the tree line toward the summit is known as the alpine zone. Although the mountain may appear nearly treeless from a distance, a closer look reveals hardy trees and shrubs growing wherever they can find enough shelter and soil.
Krummholz: Trees Shaped by the Weather
The short, gnarled trees found near the tree line are commonly called *krummholz*, a German word meaning “crooked wood.” On Mount Washington, this growth primarily includes balsam fir and spruce.
These trees may appear young because of their small size, but some have survived for many years. Their unusual shape reflects the conditions surrounding them. Wind-driven ice and snow can damage exposed branches, while persistent wind and cold limit upright growth.
Some trees develop most of their living branches on the sheltered side of the trunk. Others grow into low, dense mats close to the ground. Their structure is not accidental—it is the visible record of years spent responding to their environment.
Why Staying Low Can Help
For trees growing near the alpine tree line, maintaining a low profile reduces exposure to severe weather. Shorter, denser growth is less exposed to powerful winds than a tall, open crown would be.
Snow can also offer some protection by covering lower branches and insulating them from extreme winter conditions. Growth that extends too far above that protective layer is more vulnerable to wind, ice, moisture loss, and breakage.
Nature is continually shaping these trees. We might think of the process as a form of natural pruning: exposed growth is damaged or removed while the more sheltered portions continue to survive.
What Nature Can Teach Us About Pruning
The dramatic growth of Mount Washington’s krummholz should not be copied literally in a residential landscape. A maple, oak, or pine growing in a backyard has different needs from a balsam fir surviving near an alpine summit.
However, the underlying lesson still applies: branch length, weight, structure, and exposure all influence how a tree responds to wind and storms.
Long or overextended limbs place greater strain on their attachment points. When appropriate, selective pruning can shorten those limbs and reduce some of their weight while preserving the tree’s natural form. Proper pruning can also remove dead, damaged, or poorly attached branches before they become a greater concern.
The objective is not simply to make a tree smaller. It is to encourage a balanced structure that is appropriate for the tree’s species, age, condition, and surroundings.
Stronger Structure Through Thoughtful Pruning
When crown reduction is appropriate, an arborist selectively shortens branches by pruning them back to suitable lateral branches. This differs from topping, which indiscriminately cuts branches or stems and can leave the tree with large wounds and weakly attached new growth.
Thoughtful pruning can help manage overextended branches, improve clearance, and address structural concerns. In young trees, pruning can guide the development of a strong framework before defects become more difficult to correct. In mature trees, the work is generally more selective and focused on particular needs.
Removing too much living canopy at once can stress a tree, so every cut should have a clear purpose. Effective pruning works with the tree’s natural growth rather than forcing it into an arbitrary shape.
Preparing Trees for New England Weather
Trees throughout New England encounter wind, heavy rain, wet snow, and ice. Although no pruning treatment can guarantee that a tree or branch will not fail during a storm, professional evaluation and appropriate maintenance can help identify and reduce certain risks.
An arborist may look for dead branches, cracks, weak branch unions, overextended limbs, decay, root problems, or changes in the tree’s surroundings. The correct recommendation will depend on what is found. One tree may benefit from selective pruning, while another may need monitoring, support, or a different form of care.
Just as conditions on Mount Washington shape the trees growing there, conditions around a home also matter. Open exposure, recent construction, neighboring tree removal, soil changes, and the location of buildings or utilities can all influence how a tree grows and responds to weather.
Observing Nature With an Arborist’s Eye
One of the most valuable skills in arboriculture is careful observation. Trees continually show us how they are responding to their environment through their growth patterns, branch structure, foliage, and overall form.
The trees beside the Mount Washington Cog Railway offer an especially vivid example. Their short stature and stout, twisted limbs reveal the influence of wind and snow over time. By studying natural adaptations like these, arborists gain a deeper understanding of how structure affects resilience.
As Scott explains, observing and mimicking nature can help inform the way we care for trees. The goal is not to recreate the extreme appearance of an alpine tree, but to recognize the principles behind its growth and apply them thoughtfully.
Lessons From Above the Tree Line
The climb above the tree line reveals how remarkably adaptable trees can be. Faced with severe conditions, Mount Washington’s trees grow slowly, remain compact, and develop forms suited to their surroundings.
Their shapes remind us that tree care is not about imposing a single ideal form on every tree. It is about understanding the tree, its environment, and the forces acting upon it.
If you are concerned about overextended limbs, weak branch attachments, or how your trees may respond to severe weather, the arborists at Harrison McPhee can evaluate their structure and recommend care suited to your property. Like the trees on Mount Washington, every tree tells a story—and careful observation helps us understand what it needs.
