Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Common Larch

Description:

A tall, dense coniferous tree with deciduous needles, starting bright green in spring and turning brilliant gold in fall; prefers moist locations and light soils; can look a little odd in winter without needles, but simply shines the other three seasons

Ornamental Features

European Larch is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has rich green deciduous foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needle-like leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The rough gray bark and gold branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

European Larch is an open deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

European Larch is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

European Larch will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.