European larch

Profile

Family

Pinaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

47.5 m

Spread

16 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

500 years

First yield

after 14 years

Hardiness

zone 3–7

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very moist

pH

5.5 – 7

Synonyms

Lärche

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: The tree's inner bark is edible raw or dried, and can be ground into powder for bread-making with grain flour. A sweet manna is obtained from the trunk for consumption or medicinal purposes. Another sweet manna, known as 'Briancon Manna,' is said to be produced from the leaves during summer, being white, sweet, and nearly odorless.

Medicinal: The leaves of the plant have a laxative and choleretic effect similar to tobacco, making them useful in treating nicotinism. However, caution is advised as the plant is highly toxic and should only be taken internally under professional supervision.

Other uses: Resin is harvested by tapping the tree trunk through small drilled holes, mainly extracting it from the center. A single hole can be used for up to 30 years if done correctly. The resin, with various applications like wood preservation and medicine, requires minimal preparation, just filtration to remove impurities. Drilling occurs in spring, and resin collection happens in autumn, between May and October, yielding around 40 grams per tree. Larch, a fast-growing tree enhancing soil quality, can serve as a pioneer species on barren land to facilitate the growth of other plants. Its bark, containing 11.6% tannin at 10% moisture, is rich in tannin. Larch wood, known for its durability, elasticity, and resistance to pests, is commonly used in construction, railway sleepers, and carpentry.

Growing

It thrives in well-drained soil, preferring open and airy locations with light or gravelly conditions. While it can withstand acidic and poor soils, it does not do well in very peaty or highly calcareous soils. The larch flourishes on rocky slopes and mountainsides, showing tolerance to salty winds but aversion to exposed areas. This tree is sensitive to air pollution, hence not suitable for urban growth. North- or east-facing positions are more favorable than west- or south-facing ones. It avoids moist soil and frost pockets, thriving best in regions with ample rainfall. The larch, a highly decorative tree extensively grown in forestry, exhibits rapid growth, reaching up to 1.5 meters annually and attaining an average height of 60 cm or more over many years. While dormant trees are resilient to cold, they may start growing prematurely during mild winters, increasing susceptibility to damage from late frosts and cold winds. Young shoots emit a delicate mossy fragrance as the leaves unfurl. They readily hybridize with other genus members. For outdoor planting, opt for 1-year-old plants rather than container-grown ones with spiral roots. Despite emerging in spring, these plants transplant effectively. Genus plants show remarkable resistance to the honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seeds in pots during late winter in a cool environment. Cold stratification for a month aids germination. Seedlings should be given light shade in their first year and later transplanted into individual pots. When they reach a few centimeters in height, they can be transferred to their permanent spots in summer. Ensure proper weed mulching and possibly winter protection in their initial year. Alternatively, cultivate them in a cold environment during the first winter and relocate them in early summer the next year. Seeds will remain viable for up to three years. For larger plant quantities, sow seeds in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Allow seedlings to mature in the seedbed for a few years before moving them to their final spots, planting them in winter.

Notable

Special features: avalanche + weather + erosion protection, forest preparation; tolerates extreme temperatures, but no air pollution; e.g. professional resin harvest: drilling 50-80cm deep, 3cmØ for 80-120 year old trees diagonally downwards through the middle of the trunk towards the main root; around 200-370g/tree/year possible for 10-15 years; 2.9% of the German forest, BW = 1700kWh/rm, 4.4kWh/kg;

Origin & habitat

Europe - from the Alps to northern Russia and Siberia. Naturalized in Europe.

On mountain slopes with deep sandy soils in coniferous forests, Nothofagus species are typically found.

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