Larches are unusual in that they are conifers that lose their leaves in the autumn. Before the leaves drop, they turn a spectacular yellow. Larches are often the last trees to color in the autumn.
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-deciduous conifer tree
-pyramidal in form with a strong central leader in youth, but becoming irregular with age
-horizontal branching
-to 75' tall x 30' wide
-slow to medium rate of growth (12-18" per year)
-long-lived |
Foliage
-flat, needle-like, 1" long, keeled below
-bright green provides good contrast with darker green of other plants
-leaves clustered on small spurs or arranged spirally on strong terminal shoots
-cast moderate to light shade
-yellow autumn color
-among the last trees to turn color in autumn
-one of the few deciduous conifers (along with Taxodium distichum - Bald Cypress and Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood) |
Flowers
-monoecious
-develop with the foliage in the spring
-staminate (male) are yellow
-pistillate (female) are red |
Fruit
-small upright cones that appear on trees after 20 yrs. or so
-may persist on the tree for several years |
Twig
-slender, glabrous, yellowish brown
-many short spurs in spiral arrangement
-horizontal branches with pendulous new growth |
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Trunk
-single main trunk with bark that is dark gray-brown in rough, loose, scaly plates
-branches droop as the tree grows |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-full sun to partial sun, but protected from harsh, cold winds
-performs best in light sandy soils that are slightly acidic
-tolerates moist and clay soils but not wet areas
-easily transplanted
-casebearers and sawflies may be serious pests
-propagated by seeds, grafts, and cuttings
-limited availability in B& B |
Hardiness
-zones 4 to 6
Origin
-native to Europe
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-effective winter display
-graceful form
-attractive early spring color
Liabilities
-slow growth
-does not tolerate heat well
-cones may be a litter problem
-somewhat susceptible to ice breakage |
Function
-specimen, massing (but with ample space between plants)
-in parks and large areas
-especially effective in winter
Texture
-fine texture in foliage and when bare
-open density in foliage and when bare |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-pyramidal deciduous conifers (e.g. Taxodium distichum and Metasequoia glyptostroboides) |