What causes tree lines?

Question

There is an area of where there is a distinct line of only trees on one side and only shrubs on the other (right next to each other). What could cause this?

My attempt: I said there could be a difference in sunlight, but I'm not sure.

Answer 1

There are a bunch of possible answers;

1. On my own property I have such a line. Turned out it was an old fence line. One side was farmed intensely for 90 years, the other side left in bush. The farmed soil is enough different that it doesn't grow good trees. Even the grass is different.

2. Another place I have an abrupt line of willows. That one turns out to be water level from the local creek.

3. A third one has an abrubt chaange in types of grass. That one is caused by a clay seam coming to the surface. Uphill the surface soil is sandy. Water hits the clay, and moves downhill, coming out at the grass line.

4. I've seen another one, in the mountains, that I think is due to cold air drainage. The valley floor and 20 feet up the sides are bush. I think the cold air settles and kills young trees.