krummholz

[ kroom-hohlts ]

noun

, plural krumm·holz.

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

krummholz

/ ˈkrʊmˌhəʊlts /

noun

1. botany another name for elfin forest woodland

Word History and Origins

Origin of krummholz¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from German, equivalent to krumm “crooked, bent, warped, devious” ( Old High German krumb ) + Holz “wood”; crumhorn, holt

Word History and Origins

Origin of krummholz¹

C20: from German krumm bent + Holz wood

Example Sentences

We started hiking in the deciduous hardwood forests at the base, then climbed through the conifers and the krummholz to finally arrive at the fog-shrouded, wind-battered, arctic-alpine zone of the summit.

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