Larix decidua

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Larix decidua
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:4
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:148'
Width:49'
Speed:Fast
Blooms:Mid Spring-Late Spring
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Larix decidua (common name: larch)

Propagation: Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[1]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[2]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. The seed remains viable for 3 years[1]

If you are growing larger quantities of plants, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Grow on the seedlings in the seedbed for a couple of years until they are ready to go into their permanent positions then plant them out during the winter.

Cultivation: Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[3][4]. It tolerates acid and infertile soils, though it dislikes very peaty or very chalky soils[3]. Another report says that it tolerates chalky soils[4]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[4]. Tolerates salt-laden gales according to one report[5] whilst another says that it dislikes exposed positions[3]. The larch dislikes atmospheric pollution and so does not grow well in towns[6]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[3]. It dislikes growing in wet ground or frost pockets[3][7], and grows best in areas with abundant rainfall[3].

The larch is a very ornamental tree that is widely grown for forestry[3][7]. It is very fast growing with new annual growth of 1.5 metres often found and trees can average 60cm or more for many years[6]. The dormant trees are very cold hardy, but they are often excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter, the plants are then subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[8][6].

The young shoots have a delicate mossy fragrance as the leaves unfold[9].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[4]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[4].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7][4].

Range: C. Europe - Alps to N. Russia and Siberia. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitat: Forms extensive open forests at high altitudes[7].

Edibility: Inner bark - it can be eaten raw or can be dried, ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making bread etc[10][11].

A sweet-tasting manna is obtained from the trunk, it can be eaten raw but is mainly used medicinally[10][12][13][14][15]. Another report says that 'Briancon manna' is exuded from the leaves in the summer[16]. It is white, sweet and almost odourless[16].

Medicinal: The bark, stripped of its outer layer, is astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and vulnerary[16][17]. Its main application is as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis and has also been given internally in the treatment of haemorrhage and cystitis[16][18]. A cold extract of the bark is used as a laxative[19]. As an external application, it is useful in the treatment of chronic eczema and psoriasis[16]. The powdered bark can be used on purulent and difficult wounds to promote their healing[17]. The bark is harvested in the spring and should be dried rapidly[16].

The turpentine obtained from the resin is antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, haemostatic, rubefacient and vermifuge[16][18]. It is a valuable remedy in the treatment of kidney, bladder and rheumatic affections, and also in diseases of the mucous membranes and the treatment of respiratory complaints[16]. Other reports say that it is contraindicated for anyone with a kidney complaint[12][18]. Externally, the turpentine is used in the form of liniment plasters and inhalers[16]. It has also been suggested for combating poisoning by cyanide or opium[16].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Lack of confidence', 'Anticipation of failure' and 'Despondency'[20].

Usage: Large quantities of resin are obtained by tapping the trunk[16]. Small holes are bored into the trunk, most resin being obtained from near the centre of the trunk[21]. When properly made, the same borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years[22]. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, varnish, medicinal etc[16][22]. It needs no preparation other than straining through a cloth to remove plant debris etc[16]. The hole is made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn[22]. Resin can be extracted from May to October[16]. The yield is about 40 grams per tree[22].

A fast-growing tree that establishes itself rapidly and is also said to improve the quality of the soil, the larch can be used as a pioneer species on cleared and exposed land in order to assist the establishment of other woodland trees[16].

The bark contains tannin[21]. This is much utilized in N. Europe[23], though in Britain the oak is considered to be a better source[16]. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 11.6% tannin[23].

Wood - durable, tough, elastic, easy to split, takes a good polish[16][13][14][7]. Larch produces one of the toughest woods obtained from conifers and is also resistant to woodworm[16]. It is widely used in construction, for railway sleepers, cabinet work etc[16][13][14][7].

Pollinators: Wind

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure

Pollution: Does not tolerate environmental pollution.

Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall

Flower Type: Monoecious

Also Known As: L. europaea.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
  2. ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. ↑ Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
  8. ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  9. ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  11. ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  15. ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  16. ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  19. ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  20. ↑ Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Rottsieper, E. Vegetable Tannins. The Forestal Land, 1946.


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