Larix decidua is endemic to Europe, occurring naturally across central Europe from the Alps in eastern France, through the Carpathian and Slovenian mountains, to southern Poland, western Ukraine and northern Romania. It grows in the high mountains at altitudes between 1000 to 2200 meters above sea level. It is very cold tolerant, able to survive winter temperatures down to at least -50 °C and is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone ‎3 to 6. European Larch is a deciduous coniferous tree which reaching up to 50 m tall with to 2 m in diameter trunk that has grayish brown bark and irregularly pyramidal crown. The long branchlets are light yellow or light grayish yellow (turning gray or blackish in 2nd or 3rd year). The short branchlets bearing rings of scale remnants. The leaves are 2-3 cm x 0.5-1 mm, light green (turn bright yellow before they fall in the autumn). The seed cones are dark red or purplish, becoming green with pink scale margins. The seed are dark brownish gray. This larch is cultivated as an ornamental tree for planting in gardens and parks. Their wood is valued for its durability and has been used to build houses, fences, gates... The bark has been used as an astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and to treat wounds, and to treat eczema and psoriasis). Resin is extracted and used directly (dried and powdered), and also used to produce turpentine.
