Larix decidua

Larix decidua European larch
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European larch in l'A Bran, (1798 m) Val d'Annivier.
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Pinaceae
Genus:	Larix
Species:	L. decidua
Binomial name
Larix decidua Mill.

Larix decidua, common name European larch, is a species of larch native to the mountains of central Europe, in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains, with disjunct lowland populations in northern Poland and southern Lithuania. Its life span is given by different authorities as anything between 100 and 350 years, but the most reliable is normally about 200 years. It is claimed that one of the larches planted by the second Duke of Atholl at Dunkeld in 1738 is still standing.

Description

File:Illustration Larix decudua0.jpg

European larch morphology features from book: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, 1885, Gera, Germany.

Larix decidua is a medium-size to large deciduous coniferous tree reaching 25–45 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m diameter (exceptionally, to 55 m tall and 2 m diameter). The crown is conic when young, becoming broad with age; the main branches are level to upswept, with the side branches often pendulous. The shoots are dimorphic, with growth divided into long shoots (typically 10–50 cm long) and bearing several buds, and short shoots only 1–2 mm long with only a single bud. The leaves are needle-like, light green, 2–4 cm long which turn bright yellow before they fall in the autumn, leaving the pale yellow-buff shoots bare until the next spring.

The cones are erect, ovoid-conic, 2–6 cm long, with 10-90 erect or slightly incurved (not reflexed) seed scales; they are green variably flushed red when immature, turning brown and opening to release the seeds when mature, 4–6 months after pollination. The old cones commonly remain on the tree for many years, turning dull grey-black.

It is very cold tolerant, able to survive winter temperatures down to at least -50 °C, and is among the tree line trees in the Alps, reaching 2400 m altitude, though most abundant from 1000–2000 m. It only grows on well-drained soils, avoiding waterlogged ground and is not shade tolerant.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies:

• Larix decidua subsp. decidua - European larch or Alpine larch. Most of the range, except as below. Cones 2.5–6 cm; shoots yellow-buff.
• Larix decidua subsp. polonica - Polish larch. Disjunct in lowland northern Poland. Cones 2–3 cm; shoots very pale yellow-buff, almost white.

Uses

L. decidua is cultivated as an ornamental tree for planting in gardens and parks.

Wood

The wood is tough and durable, but also flexible in thin strips, and is particularly valued for yacht building; wood used for this must be free of knots, and can only be obtained from old trees that were pruned when young to remove side branches.

Small larch poles are widely used for rustic fencing.

Bonsai

The European larch is a popular bonsai species, with many unique specimens available in European circles, and is popularly used in bonsai forest groups.

Ecology

The seeds are an important food for some birds, notably siskin, lesser redpoll and citril finch, while the buds and immature cones are eaten by capercaillie.

See also List of Lepidoptera that feed on larches

European larch needles are the only known food for caterpillars of the case-bearer moth Coleophora sibiricella; its cone scales are used as food by the caterpillars of the tortrix moth Cydia illutana.

Invasive species

L. decidua is classed as a wilding conifer, an invasive species which spreads into the high country of New Zealand. It was planted by the New Zealand Forest Service for erosion control.

History of cultivation in Britain

It is thought to have been first cultivated in Britain in 1629. John Evelyn encouraged its wider planting and use. Three successive Dukes of Atholl planted it widely and the fourth Duke wrote "Observations on Larch" in 1807 encouraging further its cultivation, which he practiced on a large scale.

Larix decidua

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  Siberian larch in autumn colour.

• Albeck Seebachern bizarre Laerche 25102013 872.jpg

  Larch emunicipality Albeck, district Feldkirchen, Carinthia / Austria

• Larix decidua Scotland.JPG

  Early spring foliage.

• Quelques Mélèzes.JPG

  European larch woodland in summer, Alpes-Maritimes, France.

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  European larch foliage and cones.

• Larix decidua developing cone.JPG

  Developing seed cone in detail.

• Larix-decidua 0088 S.jpg

  Young seed cones (red) and pollen cones (yellow).

• Larix decidua needles and male cones.JPG

  Young needles and male 'flowers' or strobili.

• ArmentaraFels.jpg

  South Tyrol, Wengen-La Val-La Valle

• Larix decidua Embrun1.jpg

  Parc régional du Queyras, Embrun, Hautes-Alpes, France

• Albeck Seebachern Laerchenwald 25102013 869.jpg

  Autumnal forest with larches, spruces and arolla pines at Seebachern

• Larch planted on a scree slope.JPG

  European larch planted for erosion control on a scree slope in Canterbury, New Zealand.

References

• Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Larix decidua. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.

External links

• Images of Larix decidua (European larch)