First, we can notice that the trees growing in the mountains are not the same species as those we typically see growing in the lower elevations. Secondly, we have to remember that trees adapt to the environment that exists where they grow naturally. Several important adaptations have enabled conifers to survive deep snow without limb breakage.
Conifers growing near the timberline show the most extreme adaptations to heavy snow. If you drive up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and look at the trees growing there, the first thing you might notice about them is that they grow as narrow spires with very short limbs. Other adaptations include drooping limbs that shed the snow and flexible limbs that bend without breaking when weighted down with snow.
Pacific silver fir has slightly longer limbs, but they are pointed down where they can shed snow. Even when snow accumulates on the limbs, their orientation prevents breaking.
|Pacific Silver Fir|
Whitebark pine is even more bendable than mountain hemlock. The branches of whitebark pine simply bend with the weight of the snow. In fact, its twigs are so bendable that you can tie one in a knot. That is one way to distinguish it from western white pine. Like mountain hemlock, whitebark pine branches can also take root when forced to the ground by snow.
Conifers also benefit from the snow. Besides the obvious benefit of water from melted snow, the snow is a good insulator. It keeps the ground and roots from freezing in winter. Low-growing trees are also covered and protected from cold temperatures.
How Do Conifers Survive the Cold?
Northwest Conifers: High-elevation Conifers
USFS: Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)
USFS: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)