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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Larix lyallii is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses:

The shoot-tips are used as a flavouring in soups[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin Wood

The bark contains tannin[229]. Wood - strong, heavy, hard, coarse-grained and durable[82, 229].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[200]. Intolerant of badly drained soils, but tolerates 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 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 are not very successful in Britain, they have been tried on many occasions but have failed to make a satisfactory tree[11, 185]. A specimen at the Hillier Arboretum was 4.5 metres tall in 1970 and suffered frost damage each year[185]. This species is impossible to grow in lowland Britain, though it should succeed above a height of 300 metres in the eastern Scottish Highlands[200]. Growth is normally slow in Britain with average height increases of less than 30cm per year[185]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Closely related to L. occidentalis[200]. Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled 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].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[113]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[78]. 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[113] 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta (southwest), British Columbia (south)), United States (Idaho (north), Montana (west), Washington)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Larix decidua	Larch, European Larch, Common Larch	Tree	45.0	3-6	F	LM	N	M	2	3	3
Larix gmelinii	Dahurian Larch, Kurile larch	Tree	30.0	0-0	S	LM	N	M	0	0	3
Larix kaempferi	Japanese Larch	Tree	45.0	4-6	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Larix laricina	Tamarack, Hackmatack, American Larch	Tree	18.0	2-5	M	LM	N	MWe	2	2	3
Larix occidentalis	Western Larch	Tree	45.0	2-6	F	LM	N	M	2	2	3
Larix potaninii	Larch	Tree	35.0	4-8	M	LM	N	M	0	0	3
Larix sibirica	Siberian Larch	Tree	30.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Larix x marschlinsii	Dunkeld Hybrid Larch	Tree	50.0	2-6	F	LM	N	M	0	0	3
Pseudolarix amabilis	Golden Larch, Chinese golden-larch	Tree	40.0	5-7	S	LMH	SN	M	0	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Larix lyallii - Parl.