European Larch Larix decidua
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LAIR-iks de-SID-joo-uh
- Description
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European Larch is a large deciduous conifer in the pine family with a pyramidal to irregular shape and drooping, horizontal branches. At maturity, it can reach a height of 100 feet or more and a spread of 30 feet, making it an ideal plant for a large property. Its slender form when young becomes broader and more irregular with cones and dead branches persisting as the tree ages. The soft green foliage turns golden yellow color in the fall before dropping.The genus name is the classical name for larch trees. The species name means deciduous.
European larch does best sited in full sun in moist gravelly loam soils. It does tolerate light shade, but is intolerant of full shade or hot, humid conditions. It performs best in locations with cool summers and cold winters.
European larch is a long-lived tree, with specimens in Europe up to 500 years old.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Can be affected by larch casebearer, which eats the interior of the needles. Aphids, larch sawfly, and Japanese beetle are some insects that may affect this tree. Diseases include needle cast and rust, and canker. This tree loses its uniform habit with age.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Pendula'
Weeping form
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pendula'
Weeping form
- 'Pendula'
- 'Pendula'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Larix
- Species:
- decidua
- Family:
- Pineaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Harvested for timber in Europe.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southern Europe
- Distribution:
- Common as an ornamental in Canada and in the northern United States south to Maryland.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Irregular
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- This tree is non-fruiting but produces 1.5 inch reddish-brown cones that are covered with brown hairs.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Non-flowering
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The 1 inch, bright green needles will turn a yellow-amber color in the fall. Needles (to 1.5 inches long) appear in tuft-like clusters. This is a deciduous conifer although, in summer, it can look like a needled evergreen.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- The attractive bark on the trunk of mature trees is scaly, furrowed and reddish-brown. Branch bark is more smooth and gray.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Unbranched central trunk with numerous lateral branches.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
