Issued January 10, 1907, 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



FOREST SERVICE Circular 70. 



GIFFORD PINCHE, Forester. 



FOREST PLANTING LEAFLET. 



EUROPEAN LARCH (Larix europaea). 



FORM AND SIZE. 



The European larch is a deciduous conifer, similar in form and size 

 to our native tamarack. The long, thin-foliaged, spire-like crown is 

 very characteristic. When grown in the forest the bole is very 

 straight and clean and the crown greatly reduced in size. The tree is 

 of medium proportions, but occasionally reaches a height of 80 to 

 100 feet and a diameter of 2 to 3 feet. 



RANGE. 



The European larch is not indigenous to the United States. Its 

 natural range is confined to a somewhat limited region in Central 

 Europe, where it grows best on the f resh soils of the lower mountain 

 slopes. It has been widely planted abroad, and was introduced into 

 England as early as 1629. 



In the United States small plantations have been made from New 

 England to South Dakota. The exact limits of the region in which 

 planting is advisable can not be given, but it is evident that commer- 

 cial plantations may be established throughout the Northeastern 

 States and westward through the Central and Lake States to South 

 Dakota and the prairie region. In Iowa, eastern Kansas and 

 Nebraska European larch is, when planted in suitable situations, 

 among the most promising of our conifers. 



HABITS AND GROWTH. 



The larch requires favorable soil conditions. The soil should be 

 deep, light, moderately fertile, and fresh, but well drained both in the 

 upper layer and in the subsoil. This tree possesses a deep root system 

 like that of Scotch pine and oak. When the land is wet the tree may 

 start vigorously, but it will soon become spongy at the base and rot. 

 It will grow on comparatively poor but not on sterile soil. 



The species is distinctly intolerant, demanding more light than any 

 other of our conifers and equaling in this respect our most intolerant 

 hardwoods, such as aspen and locust. In its natural state it is never 



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