96 CONIFEROUS TREES 



sense can this be recommended for planting at all 

 extensively. It does not thrive well, the growth 

 usually being short, and the tree having a starved 

 and stunted appearance. 



L. EUROP^A, De Candolle. Common Larch. 

 (Synonyms : Pinus Larix, LinncBus ; Larix 

 decidua, Miller ; Abies Larix, Poiret ; Larix 

 pyramidalis, Salisbury.) Central Europe and 

 Northern Asia. Prior to 1629. — Too well known 

 to require description, at least for purposes of 

 identification. As a hardy and valuable timber- 

 producing conifer the larch is surpassed by no 

 other tree that has been introduced to this country. 

 The wood is very durable and strong, light in 

 comparison with the bulk, and easily worked. 

 As an ornamental tree it is certainly neglected, 

 for in the spring months when the young leaves 

 are bursting from the bud the decided golden green 

 colour is almost unique in foliage tint amongst 

 coniferous trees. The cones, which are produced 

 in great quantity, average i| inches in length, 

 with leathery scales, many of the bract-tips exceed- 

 ing these in length. Unfortunately of late years 

 the larch has become subject to disease, and to such 

 an extent that the planting of the tree in anything 

 like its previous quantity is much to be doubted. 



The following note is interesting, and will show 

 to what an immense size the larch will attain in 

 this country : After a life of one hundred and 

 seventy years it has been found necessary to re- 

 move one of the parent larches situated near 

 Dunkeld Cathedral. The uprooting of this mag- 

 nificent tree is the more regretted when it is 

 remembered that it was considered the finest 



