Larix decidua ( European Larch ) is a deciduous tree that is native to the cold regions of central Europe, the Alps, Poland and the Pyrenees. The European Larch is a popular bonsai species and is prized for its beautiful yellow foliage during autumn. They are slow growing, cold tolerant to an extreme -50°C and often lives beyond 200 years.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as the Common Larch. Some say the species has the ability to live for up to 1000 years.
Check out our page on the Japanese Larch.
Growth
Larix decidua is a rare deciduous conifer that reaches heights of up to 45 metres (147 feet) in its native range of northern Europe. European Larches love cold temperatures which sometimes leads to challenges when starting from seed. Seeds require a cold stratification to break their dormancy and in the wild may take several years to germinate.
One of the best features of the Larches is their soft needles which adds to their attraction as a bonsai plant or feature tree. They also turn yellow and orange during the Autumn season before falling to the ground. We have observed in Melbourne, that the European Larch is one of the first trees to start producing leaves (in this case needles) in Late Winter / Early Spring.
Pollination of the female cones occurs early in Spring and take until Autumn to ripen on the tree.
European Larches are slow growing at the beginning achieving only 20 cm (8 inches) in their first season. During the second, third and fourth seasons growth rates pick up and start to average around 50-60 cm (2 feet).
FAMILY:
Pinaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Warm Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-50°C to 25°C / -58 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 45 metres (147 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 9 metres (30 feet)
pH:
4.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind
MATURITY:
10-15 years to produce seed.
GERMINATION RATES:
25-55%
GERMINATION TIME:
6 weeks cold stratification + 2-4 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 160
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 10 years.
FACTS ABOUT LARIX DECIDUA (European Larch)
One specimen claimed to be still standing was planted by the Duke of Atholl at Dunkeld in 1738.
