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.
European Larch Care
Larix Decidua
Other names: Common Larch
If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.
Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Hardiness zone
3 - 6
Difficulty
Easy
Toxicity
Poisonous
How to Care for the Plant
Water
The European Larch needs evenly spread moist soil – try to avoid letting the soil dry out.
Pruning
Removal of the lower branches of European Larch is a serious mistake, and, if healthy, they should be retained to the base. Pruning or disbudding can be intelligently performed to add much to the natural symmetry. The extraction or removal, early in spring, of the central or terminal bud, will tend to compel the branches which start from the side buds to spread apart and form a much denser growth. Cutting back the previous year's terminal growth to a strong bud or branchlet on the main limbs over the tree, if the plant is inclined to be thin in its branching, always produces a much denser lateral growth.
Fertilizer
Start feeding after the buds have opened in spring. You can use a high nitrogen product first to help the new shoots develop vigorously, later choose a balanced product. Use liquid fertilizer every week or apply solid organic fertilize every month.
Sunlight
Keep your Larix Decidua in an environment where it can receive full sun on a daily basis.
Soil
arix decidua prefer a well-drained porous gravelly subsoil, overlaid with a light sandy loam. They seem to be particularly happy in a soil underlaid with a porous glacial drift. In cultivation, however, they succeed very well in ordinary well-drained soil. When the plants are set in clay soil, which is often done, the soil should be thoroughly loosened by trenching or subsoil plowing, and well underdrained. Any available humus, woodashes, and well-rotted manure incorporated in the soil greatly aid in rendering it friable and porous for the roots.
Temperature
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.
Additional
care with lactose intolerance as contains galactose. Inhalation may cause acute inflammation airways. Possible allergies (e.g. hives, rashes, contact dermatitis), Oral intake of bark or oil application over large skin areas may cause kidney damage
Popularity
559 people already have this plant 109 people have added this plant to their wishlists
Discover more plants with the list below
