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Larix occidentalis
Cultivation Notes
This article was provided care of 'Plants For A Future'
| Latin Name: | Larix occidentalis |
| Common Name: | Western larch |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Synonyms: | |
| Known Hazards: | None known |
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Author: Nutt.
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| Habit: A Fast Growing Deciduous Tree |
| Habitat: Mountain valleys and lower slopes, often in swampy areas, usually in mixed stands[60]. |
| Height: 45.0 Width: |
Cultivation Details:
Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[200]. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils, but they tolerate acid and infertile soils[200]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[200]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[1].
This is a very cold-hardy species when fully dormant, but on the whole the trees are a disappointment in Britain. They are often excited into premature growth in this country by periods of mild weather in the winter and are then subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds. They also often suffer from canker and die-back[185]. Good trees, however, can be very good and fast growing, often putting on new annual growth of 1 metre when young[185].
Older trees develop a very thick bark, which protects them from forest fires[226].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].
Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiraled roots[200]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[200].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].
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Propagation Notes:
Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed. One months cold stratification helps germination[113]. Grow on the seedlings in open ground until they are ready to go into their permanent positions. Give the seedlings light shade for the first year[78]. The seed remains viable for 3 years[113]. If seed is in short supply then it is possible to sow it in pots in a cold frame, pricking out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. The seedlings 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 plant them out in early summer of the following year.
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