All features at a glance

Name and species

The larches, bot. Larix, are a genus of their own from the pine family. Depending on the source, the genus includes 10 to 20 species. The best known in this country are:

• European larch - Larix decidua
• Siberian larch - Larix sibirica
• Japanese larch - Larix kaempferi

Origin and Distribution

The European larch is native to us and has its main distribution area in the Central European high mountains. The origin of the other two species can be read from their names. In the meantime they have also become at home with us and are an integral part of the tree population, albeit a small one.

Growth and age

The three larch species mentioned above differ slightly in terms of growth and age. These are the key data:

• Height of growth 30 to 50 m
• Age: 200-400 years
• occasionally also 600-800 years
• slender, conical crown
• it becomes more expansive with age
• young bark is smooth and gray
• later thick, scaly and red-brown
• Heart root system made up of deep and shallow roots

Needles

The larch is one of the two Conifer specieswho drop their needles in autumn. That is why it is also known as a deciduous tree.

• 20 - 40 needles, arranged in rosettes in tufts
• Needles are narrow, flattened, and blunt
• first light green, later dark green
• soft and pliable
• Length: 10 to 30 mm

blossoms

It takes 15 to 40 years for the larch to bloom for the first time. In the following years, too, the tree always blooms several years apart. Flowering time is March to May.

• male flowers are gold-yellow and egg-shaped
• they are between 5 and 10 mm long
• female flowers are egg-shaped and somewhat elongated
• 10 to 20 mm long and upright
• they are pink to red and green in autumn

Fruits and seeds

After flowering, the seeds take a year to mature and fly out. The cones themselves remain on the tree for about 10 years.

• 4 mm long seeds with wings
• the cones are light brown and egg-shaped
• Length is 2.5 to 4 cm
• Width is 1.5 to 2 cm

Multiplication

The larch propagates via seeds or approx. 30 cm long cuttings.

Location requirements

The larch is hardy up to - 40 ° C and can also survive icy winters. It requires the following conditions:

• Sun to partial shade
• loamy, moist, acidic to slightly alkaline soil
• enough space for the strong roots

Diseases and pests

• Gray larch moth
• Larch cancer
• Gray mold
• Larch degeneration
• Larch chute

use

The larch tree is a good supplier of wood. The wood is hard and weatherproof. It is suitable for load-bearing structures as well as for outdoor use.

In parks and gardens, the larch is usually an attractive solitaire.

Toxicity

The larch is not poisonous. The young shoots can even be prepared as tea. In addition, the larch has healing ingredients that are used in numerous medicinal preparations.