Word of the Day

krummholz

[kroom-hohlts]

noun:

a forest of stunted trees near the timber line on a mountain

Explanation

Krummholz refers to the twisted, stunted trees found near a mountain's timber line, shaped by wind and cold. The word comes from German, literally translated as "crooked wood," and it captures both the harshness of alpine life and nature's resilience. In every gnarled branch, krummholz tells a story of survival.

Example: We hiked through the dense, wind-battered krummholz near the mountain's treeline.