Tamarack Tree

Scientific Classification

Tamarack Tree Pictures

Tamarack Tree Photos

Tamarack Tree Seeds

Tamarack Tree Bark

Quick Information

Also Known as	Eastern larch, red larch, hackmatack, black larch, American larch
Tree Type	Coniferous and deciduous
Identification	Size: 33-66 ft in height (10-20 m) Trunk Diameter: 2 ft (0.6 cm) Needles: 1-1.1 in (2-3 cm) sea-green in color Bark: Pink, sometimes looks reddish Cones: 0.39- 0.098 in (1-2.5 cm) bright red in general and turns to brown while releasing the seeds
Distribution	Canada, northwestern U.S.A
Habitat	Conifer forest, Tundra
Hardiness Zone	2-5
Growth Rate	Fast
Lifespan	200-300 years
Growing Conditions	Sun: Full exposure Water: Plenty of water (constant) Soil: moist organic soil (sphagnum), wet, swamps, coarse sand, heavy clay and calcareous soils
Drought Tolerant	No
Diseases & Pests	Diseases: Larch canker caused by Lachnellula willkommii fungus Pest: Sawfly, larch looper, Japanese beetle, tussock moth, woolly aphids and larch case-bearer
Reproductive System	Monoecious
Propagation	From cuttings
Seedling Development	Germinates well under the direct sunlight
Companion Plants	Labrador Tea, false Solomon’s-seal, sedges, and red twig dogwood
Wildlife Value	The seeds are food to red squirrels, while seedlings are common treat for snowshoe hares, the inner bark of the tree is fed by porcupines. Birds like song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, common yellowthroat, Nashville warbler, and veery use the tree for nesting
Uses	The wood is used for making snowhorse and other sturdy things like knee of a wooden boat, fuelwood, poles, posts, and pulpwood
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Tamarack Tree Cones

Tamarack Tree Leaves

Interesting Facts

• The name of the tree is an Algonquian (a Native American language group) term means the wood used for snowshoes.
• Although it grows well in the full exposure of light, the tree has a tremendous power to withstand cold temperatures down to -85°F.
• The indigenous people of north Canada used the inner bark of the tree to heal hemorrhoids, frostbite, wounds, and cuts. The roots and outer bar were also used with a mixture of other tree parts as a remedy of pain, aches, and arthritis.

Dwarf Tamarack Tree

Tamarack Tree Needles

References:

1. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/larch/tamarack-tree-information.htm
2. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d883
3. https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/268tamar.pdf
4. http://www.adirondackvic.org/Trees-of-the-Adirondacks-Tamarack-Larix-laricina.html

The post Tamarack appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

European Larch

Scientific Classification

Weeping European Larch

European Larch Bonsai

European Larch Seeds

European Larch Cone

Quick Information

Also Known as	Common larch
Tree Type	Deciduous
Identification	Size: 82-148 ft (25-45 m)Trunk Diameter: 3.2 ft (1 m) Needles: 1-1.1 inch (2-4 cm) light green which changes into bright yellow before shedding Cones: 1-2.3 in (2-3 cm) green, red and color changing at times
Distribution	Central Europe
Habitat	Mountainous zones with an elevation of 1000-2400 meter
Subspecies	Larix decidua subsp. decidua Larix decidua subsp. polonica
Hardiness Zone	2-6
Growth Rate	Fast
Lifespan	1000 years (in one case a tree has been reported to live as long as 2000 years)
Growing Conditions	Sun: Full exposure Water: Medium Soil: Well-drained soil, loamy and moist soil
Drought Tolerant	No
Disease & Pests	Disease: Larch canker Pests: Larch case-bearer
Reproductive System	Monoecious
Propagation	From seeds
Seedling Development	In full sun they germinate well
Wildlife Value	For forestation (since its growth rate is very fast), red squirrels eat seeds, black grouse eat immature cones and buds
Uses	Wood is used for building yacht, rusting fencing
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

European Larch Tree

European Larch Tree Pictures

Interesting Facts

• Three generations bearing the title of Dukes of Atholl had planted the species to a mentionable extent. The fourth duke also encouraged the cultivation to go on and he even wrote a book named ‘Observations on Larch’ in 1807. Even there is a claim that a particular tree, planted by the second Duke of Atholl is still thriving.
• According to the European folklore, burning and using the larch as a wear can protect an individual from evil attacks. This was a long-standing tool used for enchantment.

European Larch Needles

European Larch Tree Images

References:

1. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/larix/decidua/
2. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/european-larch/
3. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/european-larch/

The post European Larch appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Western Larch

Tamarack

Scientific Classification

Tamarack Tree

Western Larch Leaves

Quick Information

Western Larch Needle

Western Larch Tree

Interesting Facts

• The Seeley Lake Giant, found in Lolo National Forest in Montana, is the largest known western larch with a height 49.4 m, dbh 221 cm, and stem-volume 83 m³.
• By counting the annual rings from a sawn-off stump near Cranbrook, British Columbia, the age of the supposedly oldest western larch was estimated at 920 years.
• Some indigenous people of the Plateau consumed a drink prepared from the shoots for the treatment of laryngitis and tuberculosis.
• The western larch wood is valuable as firewood, and while burning, it gives off a sweet fragrance.

Western Larch Cone

Western Larch Pictures

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larix_occidentalis
2. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_journals/2020/rmrs_2020_steed_j001.pdf
3. http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=214
4. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs_journals/2020/rmrs_2020_steed_j001.pdf
5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42315/2971858
6. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/westernlarch.htm

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