Larch

Larch (Larix) - One of the most beautiful trees of the north, and though much cultivated in our woodlands for its value as a timber tree, it is none the less precious for the lawn and home grounds. Belonging to the great Pine family, it has the summer-leafing habit of our ordinary trees, which enhances its charms, not only showing the form better in winter, but the fine color of the budding leaves in spring, and the ripening leaves in autumn. A true child of the northern mountains, the Larch is hardy everywhere in England, perhaps thriving better in the north, as in the case of the lovely old trees at Dunkeld, its only enemy being a dreadful parasitic fungus, which eats into the tree and mars its beauty and vigour. Other kinds of Larch are known, and some coming into cultivation, but it is not always easy to obtain them in a good state, and we have yet but little evidence as to their value. All are worth trial, though it is probable that none will ever rival the charms of the European Larch.

Larch Pictures

Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch - tamarack

Larix sibirica Ledeb. - Siberian larch

Larix sibirica Ledeb. - Siberian larch

Larix sibirica Ledeb. - Siberian larch

Larix sibirica Ledeb. - Siberian larch

Larix occidentalis Nutt. - western larch

Larix P. Mill. - larch

Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch - tamarack

Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch - tamarack

Related Flowers

Tamarack

Tamarack (Larix Americana) - A slender tree, in its own country reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, but not thriving so well in England, and not so remarkable for beauty as our European Larch. It grows naturally in low-lying ground or swamps, and has not been fairly tried in our gardens, in which such ground does not often occur. Syn. Microcarpa and Pendula.

European Larch

European Larch (Larix Europaea) - A tall and lovely tree with pendent branches emitting a delicate fragrance in the spring when budding. It is a native of the northern and central European Alps, and also the mountains of N. Asia. The weeping variety is picturesque, but L. dahurica is considered to be a form of this, and is likely to be of distinct value for gardens.

Sikkim Larch

Sikkim Larch (Larix Griffithii) - A Himalayan Larch, attaining in its own country to the height of a stately tree, but often dwarfed into an alpine bush. It bears large cones, and in England has not yet been proved to be of great value.

Chinese Golden Larch

Chinese Golden Larch (Larix Kaempferi) - A beautiful tree of W. China, attaining in its own country a height of over 100 feet, and of good growth and habit in England, though not so rapid as other species. A choice lawn tree, and also, when it can be got in any quantity in the form of healthy seedling plants, as a group in park or woodland.

Japan Larch

Japan Larch (Larix Leptolepsis) - In its own country this is described as a medium-sized tree resembling our European Larch, to which it is said to be inferior, but from experience gained by planters this is thought doubtful, as it promises very well indeed as a woodland tree, and is said to escape the Larch fungus canker, which is so deadly to the European Larch.

Western Larch

Western Larch (Larix Occidentalis) - Said to be the noblest of all the Larches, from the mountains of N.W. America. It is of great height, but as yet little tried in England, though promising well.