Larix decidua

European larch morphology features from book: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, 1885, Gera, Germany.

Larix decidua is a medium-size to large deciduous coniferous tree reaching 25–45 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m diameter (exceptionally, to 53.8 m tall and 3.5 m diameter). The crown is conic when young, becoming broad with age; the main branches are level to upswept, with the side branches often pendulous. The shoots are dimorphic, with growth divided into long shoots (typically 10–50 cm long) and bearing several buds, and short shoots only 1–2 mm long with only a single bud. The leaves are needle-like, light green, 2–4 cm long which turn bright yellow before they fall in the autumn, leaving the pale yellow-buff shoots bare until the next spring.

The cones are erect, ovoid-conic, 2–6 cm long, with 10-90 erect or slightly incurved (not reflexed) seed scales; they are green variably flushed red when immature, turning brown and opening to release the seeds when mature, 4–6 months after pollination. The old cones commonly remain on the tree for many years, turning dull grey-black.

It is very cold tolerant, able to survive winter temperatures down to at least -50 °C, and is among the tree line trees in the Alps, reaching 2400 m altitude, though most abundant from 1000–2000 m. It only grows on well-drained soils, avoiding waterlogged ground and is not shade tolerant.

It is thought to have been first cultivated in Britain in 1629.[6] John Evelyn encouraged its wider planting and use.[7] Three successive Dukes of Atholl planted it widely[8] and the fourth Duke wrote "Observations on Larch" in 1807 encouraging further its cultivation, which he practiced on a large scale.[9]

European larch is widely cultivated in southern Canada and the northeastern United States. It has been naturalized in Maine, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. In the northern Appalachian Mountains it is often used for the reforestation of surface mines.[10] European larch can grow on drier soils and tolerate warmer climates than the native tamarack, being better suited to non-boreal climates.[11]

The following varieties are accepted:[2]

• Larix decidua var. carpatica Domin – the Carpathians
• Larix decidua var. decidua – European larch or Alpine larch. Most of the range, except as below. Cones 2.5–6 cm; shoots yellow-buff.
• Larix decidua var. polonica (Racib. ex Wóycicki) Ostenf. & Syrach – Polish larch. Disjunct in lowland northern Poland. Cones 2–3 cm; shoots very pale yellow-buff, almost white.

Larix decidua is cultivated as an ornamental tree for planting in gardens and parks.[12]

Wood

The wood is tough and durable, but also flexible in thin strips, and is particularly valued for yacht building; wood used for this must be free of knots, and can only be obtained from old trees that were pruned when young to remove side branches.

Small larch poles are widely used for rustic fencing.

Other

Because of its fast juvenile growth and its pioneer character, larch has found numerous applications in forestry and agroforestry. It is used as a ‘preparatory species’ to afforest open land, abandoned farmland or disturbed land and as a ‘nurse species’ prior to the introduction of more demanding species.[13]

The seeds are an important food for some birds, notably siskin, lesser redpoll and citril finch, while the buds and immature cones are eaten by capercaillie.

European larch needles are the only known food for caterpillars of the case-bearer moth Coleophora sibiricella; its cone scales are used as food by the caterpillars of the tortrix moth Cydia illutana.

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  Siberian larch in autumn colour.
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  Larch emunicipality Albeck, district Feldkirchen, Carinthia / Austria
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  Early spring foliage.
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  European larch woodland in summer, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
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  European larch foliage and cones.
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  Developing seed cone in detail.
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  Young seed cones (red) and pollen cones (yellow).
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  Young needles and male 'flowers' or strobili.
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  South Tyrol, Wengen-La Val-La Valle
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  Parc régional du Queyras, Embrun, Hautes-Alpes, France
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  Autumnal forest with larches, spruces and arolla pines at Seebachern
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  European larch planted for erosion control on a scree slope in Canterbury, New Zealand.
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  Wound from a broken branch.
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  Young female cone
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  Male cones
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  Larix decidua var. polonica 1962 accession in fall, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Larix decidua.

• Larix decidua images at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Plant Image Database
• Friedman, William (Ned). "Spring larch pilgrimage."Posts from the Collection, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 17 April 2018. Accessed 6 May 2020.
• Images of Larix decidua (European larch)
• Larix decidua. Information, genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)