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Alpine vegetation

This 360° panorama below shows the vegetation at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Montana in late June. Alpine systems are harsh environments with extremes in temperature highs and lows, wind, short growing season, and high light. Trees struggle to exist along alpine treeline and are often shrubby and stunted (Krumholz, German for crooked wood) and may display a flagging growth form (bottom). The trees in the foreground are approximately 3-4 feet tall but may be relatively old.

Below are trees exhibiting flagging growth forms on top of Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia in the Monongahela National Forest.