Larix decidua
Common name: 
European Larch
Pronunciation: 
LAR-iks de-SID-u-a
Family: 
Pinaceae
Genus: 
Larix
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous conifer, 30-60(100) ft, [(9-18(30) m], pyramidal, drooping branches, note brown or black "bumps" (spurs, short shoots) on some branches (compare to Larix occidentalis, Western Larch).   Clusters of 30-40 leaves (needles) arise from each spur, 1.3-4 cm long.  May turn a rich yellow color in fall.  Cones narrowly ovate, 2.5-4 cm long, 40-50 seed scales, upright, light brown.
  • Sun.  Readily transplanted when dormant.  Best with sufficient moisture, well-drained and sunny conditions.  Does not grow well in very dry or wet soils.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 2     Native to northern and central Europe.  A few selections or cultivars are available, including a pendulus form Larix decidua  'Pendula'.  Jacobson (1996) however states that the "mass-produced clone so sold in recent years is L. kaemferi 'Pendula'.
  • decidua: deciduous.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • shoots and needle cluster

    shoots and needle cluster

  • male and female cones, spring

    male and female cones, spring

  • cones and new leaves, spring

    cones and new leaves, spring

  • cone development

    cone development

  • spent cone, after seed drop

    spent cone, after seed drop

  • plant habit, fall

    plant habit, fall

  • branches, leaves and cones

    branches, leaves and cones

  • leaves and cones, early winter

    leaves and cones, early winter

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark