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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Larix gmelinii is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. dahurica.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

None known

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

Resin Tannin Wood

Resin is extracted by tapping the trunk. It is obtained from near the centre of the trunk[171], one properly made borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years[64]. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, medicinal etc. The hole is made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn[64]. The yield is about 40 grams per tree[64]. The bark contains tannin[46, 61, 266]. Wood - hard, durable. Used in construction, water pipes, mine props, beams etc[46, 61, 266].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

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 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]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. The plant is cultivated for re-afforestation in Asia and is also used as an ornamental[266]. Growth is normally slow in Britain with average height increases of less than 30cm per year[185]. 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

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Buryatia, Yakutia-Sakha, Chita, Irkutsk), Mongolia (northeast), Russian Federation (Kurile Islands, Habarovskij kraj, Primorye, Amur, Kamcatskij kraj, Sakhalin), China (Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng (north), Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng (east), Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Shanxi Sheng), Korea

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 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 lyallii	Sub-Alpine Larch	Tree	25.0	3-7		LMH	SN	M	1	0	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 gmelinii - (Rupr.)Rupr.