Which conifer trees grow at higher elevations in the Alps?

In the Alps, the coniferous forests that dominate higher elevations consist primarily of spruce, larch, and various species of pine.1

As elevation increases, these species reach different upper limits based on their ability to withstand harsh conditions like cold, high winds, and moisture scarcity:

• Spruce: Generally reaches its upper limit at approximately 7,200 feet in the Western Alps.1
• Larch: Better adapted to cold and wind, it can grow as high as 8,200 feet.1
• Arolla pine: Found at the highest limits of the forest, this hardy, slow-growing tree typically does not grow below 5,000 feet.1

Due to their ecological importance and historical over-harvesting, the cutting of Arolla pines is now strictly controlled.1