Larix decidua (European Larch)

A sight to behold in the fall, Larix decidua (European Larch) is a large deciduous conifer of elegant beauty. It features an upright, conical form when young, becoming broad with age. In older trees, the branches tend to droop in a graceful manner. Unlike most cone-bearing trees, European Larch loses its foliage each winter. Among the earliest trees to come into leaf in spring, its vivid green needle-like leaves, sometimes blue-green in summer, turn butter yellow to old gold before being shed in the fall. Small, erect, conical cones, variably flushed red when immature, turn brown and open to release their seeds when mature. They persist on the tree for some time. Fast-growing and very hardy, European Larch makes a wonderful specimen in a large landscape where its pristine bright green spring foliage and lustrous gold fall display can be admired.

• Grows up to 80-100 ft. tall (24-30 m) and 60-80 ft. wide (18-24 m).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in deep, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils but not pollution.
• Virtually pest free. Watch for honey fungus and canker.
• No pruning required
• Propagate by seed in containers in early spring, graft in winter, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer under mist; cuttings are difficult to root
• Native to the Alps, the Carpathians