Larix potaninii
Larch
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Larix genus in the family Pinaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bark contains tannin[5]. Wood - strong, heavy, durable[5]. A valuable timber tree in China where it is used for general construction, pit props, railway sleepers and making furniture[7][6].
- Product or use
- Tannin
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - S.W. China to E. Tibet.
- Habitat
- Grows sparingly in moist forests at low elevations, especially by streams. It forms pure stands at higher elevations, especially on moist soils, growing best above 2500m and up to the tree line[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- 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[3]. 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[3] 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]. Plants generally do not do well in Britain, growing best in the south-west of the country[1][4]. The species is cultivated for timber use in Asia and is also used for afforestation[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[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]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00