Japanese Larch
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Grows to 70-90' tall and 25-40' wide in the landscape. In the wild, trees up to 150' have been found. Open-pyramidal habit, eventually developing pendulous branches. Growth rate is medium to fast.

Native Range

Native to Japan. Introduced into cultivation in 1861.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are monoecious, in early spring. The female flowers are attractive, red, pink, yellow or green, 1/2" long, egg-shaped strobili (cone). Male flowers are smaller and yellow, along the branches. Cones are brown, stalked, erect, 1-1.5" long, and slightly narrower, covered with 1/2" scales that are rolled back on top, giving a rosette-like appearance to the overall cone.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are soft, flexible and needle-like, 1-1.5" long, occurring in spurs, with up to 40 or more needles in a cluster, resembling those of Cedrus, but not stiff and sharp. New foliage at tips of branches may have single needles. Needles flat and glaucous on top, deep green, keeled with 2 white bands beneath. As this is a deciduous conifer, the foliage turns yellowish-gold in the autumn, then dropping to expose bare stems for the winter. Young stems may be covered with soft, brownish hairs. Bark on young trees is thin and scaly, becoming quite thick with age, deeply fissured at the base, exposing the reddish-brown inner bark.

Culture and Care

Transplant when dormant and free of needles, such as in early March. Needs a sunny, moist, well-drained site, in a soil from pH 6.1-7.5. Tolerates clay, & shallow, acid soils, but is susceptible to drought. Avoid shade, alkaline soils and polluted areas. Zone 4-7. Possible insects and diseases include the larch case bearer, cankers, leaf cast, needle rust, wood decay, larch sawfly, wooly larch aphid, gypsy moth, tussock moth, and Japanese beetle. More resistant to canker disease than the European Larch.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall. Cones provide food for songbirds and small mammals.

Suggested Uses

Good specimen plant, or in a group planting. Best in large areas such as parks, arboretums, campuses and golf courses.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA