The larch is a tree of light
The larch is commonly referred to as a tree of light. She likes it when she is bathed in brightness, from all sides. That is why the larch is not a tree for neighborhoods that are too close to compete with it for sunlight.
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The closer the planting distance to other trees, but also to buildings, the more unsightly deviations in their development can be expected in later years.
Space requirements increase with the years of life
The larch can live a good 600 years under the best living conditions. The numerical values that characterize an old larch tree are impressive:
- Height over 50 m
- Crown diameter more than 8 m
- Trunk diameter up to 2m
A young larch from the nursery cannot keep up with these values. It is so thin and small that it can be placed anywhere in the garden. But although hardly any gardener thinks centuries ahead, he has to find a greater distance when planting. The larch will quickly strive in all directions after being rooted.
Larch as a solitaire
This tree does not want to regularly sacrifice its branches to scissors, so it only belongs in a large garden. It is best if there is neither a tree nor a building within a radius of 5 m.
If this distance is not kept when planting, it does not bother at first. But the years go by, the crown and the invisible roots are getting wider and wider. The larch may need to be be cut unattractively or even felled.
Larch as a hedge
The European larch is also popular as a hedge planting, although it does not provide adequate privacy in winter. Unlike most conifers, it turns its needles yellow in autumn and throws them to the ground.
A tree that nature designed as a giant is somehow inconceivable as a hedge plant. Nevertheless, good results can be achieved with it, at least with a lot of cutting.
When planting a hedge, the planting distance between two larches must be reduced to 1.5 m. Some nurseries even recommend a planting distance of 1 m or less.
