World Plants

Larix decidua (Common Larch, European Larch, Venice Turpentine)

Michael's Opinion

A common deciduous conifer that is often used in the urban landscape. Fine green needles turn a dull yellow, enhancing the 20 m pyramidal form. Typically larches prefer wet feet, however, L.decidua is tolerant of quite dry conditions and the lean soils often associated with such. It is often used as a street tree since needle drop creates a minimal amount of litter.

Botanical Information

Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Larix
Species	decidua
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (deciduous)
Origin	Central and Southern Europe. Known to have been grown in England prior to 1620 although it is not a native plant.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	In the northern Appalachian Mountains it is often used for the reforestation of surface mines.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	2 - 6
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	0a - 5b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-46 - (-21)
Temperature (°F)	-50 - (-5)
Height	20 - 30 m
Spread	5 - 10 m
Growth	Fast
Flowering Period	May

Description and Growing Information

General Description	Medium-size to large deciduous coniferous tree.
ID Characteristic	Spurs on branches, cones are not reflexed and are persistent on tree.
Shape	Large conical tree.
Landscape	Ornamental tree for planting in gardens and parks.
Propagation	Seed in containers in early spring, graft in winter, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer under mist.
Cultivation	Grows in any deep, well-drained soil in full sun.
Pests	Potential insect pests include larch case-bearer, aphids, larch sawfly, tussock moth and Japanese beetle. Potential diseases include needle cast, needle rust and canker.
Notable Specimens	Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England.
Habitat	Horticultural origin.
Bark/Stem Description	Greyish-brown outer bark. Loose elongated plates reveal a reddish inner bark. Young stems are yellowish and furrowed.
Leaf Description	Soft, flat needles, 25-30 mm long. Bright green in spring, turn yellow before dropping, and darkening with maturity. Found in groups on spurs or in a spiral arrangement down long branches.
Flower Description	Flowers are monoecious; both male and female strobili cover tree in early spring. Female flowers are egg-shaped and about 0.5-2 cm long, in reds, pinks, yellows, or green. Male flowers are smaller and yellow.
Fruit Description	Cones are ovoid, 2.5-4 cm long, and persistent. Purple cones dry to brown; young cones somewhat showy. Scales pubescent on backside, overlapped, but not reflexed.
Colour Description	Bright green in spring, golden yellow in autumn.