Practical
Plants

Larix kaempferi

Japanese 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
8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Material uses

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

The heavy leaf-fall of this species has lead to it being planted as a fire-break in some areas where pine trees are grown[3]. A fast-growing tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[4]. The bark contains tannin[5]. Wood - strong, heavy and durable[6][5].

Product or use
Fire retardant
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Mountains in C. Japan[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
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[2]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[8]. 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[2] 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[4]. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils, but they tolerate acid and infertile soils[4]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[4]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[1]. This species is very cold-hardy when fully dormant, but the trees can be excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter and they are then very subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[1]. Slow growing for its first two or three years from seed, it is then very vigorous making between 1 and 1.5 metres increase in height a year[3]. The belief that older trees do not do so well is erroneous, 50 year old specimens in Britain are still growing rapidly[3]. Trees have been planted for timber in N.W. Europe[6]. The heavy leaf-fall from this species soon suppresses any other vegetation, including rhododendrons[3] Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value, most of these are dwarf forms[4]. 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]. The trees are attractive to small finches, tits and treecreepers[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. 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↩7↩8↩9↩10

  5. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2

  6. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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