Practical
Plants

Larix decidua

Larch

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Larix genus in the family Pinaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Larix
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
45 m
Spread
15 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Inner bark - it can be eaten raw or can be dried, ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making bread etc[8][6]. A sweet-tasting manna is obtained from the trunk, it can be eaten raw but is mainly used medicinally[8][19][16][17][2]. Another report says that 'Briancon manna' is exuded from the leaves in the summer[15]. It is white, sweet and almost odourless[15].

Plant part
Inner bark
Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark, stripped of its outer layer, is astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and vulnerary[15][11]. Its main application is as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis and has also been given internally in the treatment of haemorrhage and cystitis[15][13]. A cold extract of the bark is used as a laxative[23]. As an external application, it is useful in the treatment of chronic eczema and psoriasis[15]. The powdered bark can be used on purulent and difficult wounds to promote their healing[11]. The bark is harvested in the spring and should be dried rapidly[15]. The turpentine obtained from the resin is antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, haemostatic, rubefacient and vermifuge[15][13]. 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[15]. Other reports say that it is contraindicated for anyone with a kidney complaint[19][13]. Externally, the turpentine is used in the form of liniment plasters and inhalers[15]. It has also been suggested for combating poisoning by cyanide or opium[15]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Lack of confidence', 'Anticipation of failure' and 'Despondency'[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bach
Product or use
Balsamic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Vermifuge
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Large quantities of resin are obtained by tapping the trunk[15]. Small holes are bored into the trunk, most resin being obtained from near the centre of the trunk[5]. When properly made, the same borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years[18]. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, varnish, medicinal etc[15][18]. It needs no preparation other than straining through a cloth to remove plant debris etc[15]. The hole is made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn[18]. Resin can be extracted from May to October[15]. The yield is about 40 grams per tree[18]. 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[15]. The bark contains tannin[5]. This is much utilized in N. Europe[12], though in Britain the oak is considered to be a better source[15]. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 11.6% tannin[12]. Wood - durable, tough, elastic, easy to split, takes a good polish[15][16][17][22]. Larch produces one of the toughest woods obtained from conifers and is also resistant to woodworm[15]. It is widely used in construction, for railway sleepers, cabinet work etc[15][16][17][22].

Product or use
Resin
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
C. Europe - Alps to N. Russia and Siberia. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Forms extensive open forests at high altitudes[22].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[4]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[21]. 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[4] 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[3][9]. It tolerates acid and infertile soils, though it dislikes very peaty or very chalky soils[3]. Another report says that it tolerates chalky soils[9]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[9]. Tolerates salt-laden gales according to one report[20] whilst another says that it dislikes exposed positions[3]. The larch dislikes atmospheric pollution and so does not grow well in towns[7]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[3]. It dislikes growing in wet ground or frost pockets[3][22], and grows best in areas with abundant rainfall[3]. The larch is a very ornamental tree that is widely grown for forestry[3][22]. 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[7]. 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[1][7]. The young shoots have a delicate mossy fragrance as the leaves unfold[14]. 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[9]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[22][9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  10. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

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  11. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  12. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17↩18↩19

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  20. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

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  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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  22. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  23. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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