European larch

(Larix decidua)

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

NatureServe

NNA - Not applicable

SNA - Not applicable

Minnesota

not listed

 
European larch
 
Description

European larch is a medium-sized to large tree, 98 tall or taller and up to 40 in diameter at breast height.

Needles are borne singly or in clusters of 30 to 40.

The twigs are pale yellow and hairless.

Mature seed cones are ¾ to 1¾ long and are covered with 40 to 60 scales.

 

Height

82 to 98

 

Record

There is no state record for nonnative trees.

 

Similar Species

Tamarack (Larix laricina) is a small tree. Needles are borne singly or in clusters of 12 to 30. The twigs are pale orangish-brown. Mature seed cones are to ¾ long and are covered with 10 to 30, but usually 12 to 15, scales. It is very common in Minnesota.

Habitat

Moist to moderately moist. Parks. Full sun. Shade intolerant. Well drained soil.

Ecology

Pollination

March to May or June

 

Pests and Diseases

Larch canker

Use

 

Distribution

Distribution Map

 

Sources

2, 3, 4, 24, 29, 30.

3/11/2021    
     

Nativity

Native to Europe. Widely cultivated as an ornamental in southern Canada and northeastern United States. Occasionally escapes cultivation.

     

Occurrence

Rare or absent in natural areas in Minnesota.

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Plantae (green algae and land plants)

Subkingdom

Viridiplantae (green plants)

Infrakingdom

Streptophyta (land plants and green algae)

Superdivision

Embryophyta (land plants)

Division

Tracheophyta (vascular plants)

Subdivision

Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants)

Class

Pinopsida (conifers)

Subclass

Pinidae

Order

Pinales (conifers)

Family

Pinaceae (pine)

Subfamily

Pinoideae (pines, spruces, larches, and allies)

Genus

Larix (larches)

   

Subordinate Taxa

Alpine European larch (Larix decidua var. decidua)

Carpathian larch (Larix decidua var. carpatica)

Polish larch (Larix decidua var. polonica)

   

Synonyms

Pinus larix

   

Common Names

European larch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor Photos
 

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Randy

Forming cones on a European Larch, June 2021, Owatonna, Minnesota, hanging in characteristic pendulous form.

  Forming cone and prior year's mature cone on a European Larch, June 2021, Owatonna, Minnesota
European larch   European larch
     

Stand of old European Larch on grounds of the Orphanage Museum on State Avenue in Owatonna, MN

  Close up of forming cone on a Europena Larch, roughly twice the size of an American Larch cone.
European larch   European larch
     

European Larch, Austin, MN, November 2016, fall color not as brilliant as Tamarack

European larch   European larch
     

European larch in Owatonna, MN , July 2016

European larch   European larch
     
European larch    
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos

Trees

European larch    
     

Branch

European larch   European larch
     

Needles

European larch   European larch
     
European larch    
     

Seed Cone

European larch    

 

Camera

Slideshows

European Larch
Wez Smith

European Larch
About

European Larch (Larix decidus).

Larix decidua
Blake C. Willson

Larix decidua
About

European Larch

Larix decidua
Duncan Slater

About

Published on Sep 27, 2016

This short video has been created to help you identify this tree species that is naturalised in the UK and Ireland

 

slideshow

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Other Videos

Larix decidua European Larch
Trees Planet

About

Published on Mar 15, 2016

Larix decidua commonly known as European Larch is native to Europe. It is best known deciduous conifer in Europe.
http://treesplanet.blogspot.com/2016/03/larix-decidua-european-larch.html

Euorpean Larch -Larix decidua â 'Puliâ' ™ American Conifer Society
American Conifer Society

About

Published on Jul 29, 2013

A selection from the 2010 ACS Collector's Conifer of the Year, Larix decidua â 'Puliâ' ™, a form of the European Larch, gives a a curtain of light green to the landscape. A deciduous conifer, it turns a vivid golden yellow before shedding its needles in the fall. Learn more about this wonderful conifer for your garden.

Larix decidua
VT Dendrology

About

Published on Apr 18, 2016

European larch

 

Camcorder

Visitor Sightings
 

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Randy
June 2021

Location: Owatonna, MN

Stand of old European Larch on grounds of the Orphanage Museum on State Avenue in Owatonna, MN

European larch

Randy
November, 2016

Location: Austin, MN

fall color not as brilliant as Tamarack

European larch

Randy
July, 2016

Location: Owatonna, MN

European larch

MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings

 

 

 

Binoculars

 

Created: 10/31/2016

Last Updated:

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