Identifying Larch

Larch is a fairly rapidly growing tree, introduced to Britain in the early 17th century, whose long-lasting timber is very good for fencing, furniture making and boat-building amongst other uses. Larch comes in two flavours - European and Japanese.

It is a large coniferous tree (it can grow up to 50m tall) and is unusual amongst conifers in that it is deciduous (sheds its leaves).

Leaf

The flattened, soft, needle-like leaves are arranged radially around the tips of young shoots, or in clumps/rosettes/bundles (of 30 to 40 leaves) on older wood. In Spring, the new leaves are a bright, fresh green colour but in autumn they turn a yellow, golden colour. If the tree is Japanese Larch, then the leaves have a blue-green colour.

Buds, Bark and Stem

The bark is a pinky-brown to pale brown. Buds are a golden brown colour.

Flowers and Fruits

Red pink female flowers are positioned amongst young green needles, these mature into cones. The male pollen forming cones are yellowish. The cone scales of the European Larch are pressed towards the body of the cone, whereas those of the Japanese Larch arch backwards rather like the petals of a rose.

Identifying Larch

Leaf

Buds, Bark and Stem

Flowers and Fruits

Tree species