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Native Plant Database

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Larix occidentalis Nutt.

Western larch, Western tamarack

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

USDA Symbol: LAOC

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Western larch is a large tree to 200 ft. tall. At maturity the trunk is mostly bare with scaly, cinnamon-colored bark. The deciduous needles are pale green, coloring to deep golden in the fall. Very large deciduous tree with narrow, conical crown of horizontal branches. Cone-covered branches are an attractive winter feature.

Western Larch often follows or survives fires, later being replaced by other conifers. The natural sugar, or galactan, in the gum and wood resembles a slightly bitter honey and can be made into medicine and baking powder. Grouse eat the buds and leaves. The wood is used for construction, paneling, flooring, utility poles, plywood, and pulpwood.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit:
Size Class: More than 100 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: ID , MT , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: E. of the Cascades from s. B.C. to Deschutes Co., OR, e. to n.w. MT, n. ID & n.e. OR
Native Habitat: Lower, eastside, mt. slopes; valleys; swampy areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Collection: A ripe cone is made up of woody scales, each of which bears two seeds at the base. Seeds are wind dispersed, so many cones still on the tree may be empty. The seed is winged and triangular in shape. Collect in fall.
Seed Treatment: Pretreatment is not usually necessary. If seeded in spring, a cool-moist stratification for 20-60 days is often used.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Larix occidentalis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Larix occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Larix occidentalis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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