AMERICAN LARCH. 

 Larix laricina, (Du Roi) Koch. 



GEinTS DESCHIPTION — This s»"nu:; ^-omprises about 10 species found ia the cooler portion of the 

 n^>rtht>rn hemisphere and oocasionally *-xtends beyond the Arctic Circle. Of the 10 known species 

 3 are found in North America. 2 in the western part and 1. a transcontinental species. The latter 

 i^ found in Pennsylvania. The Larches all shed their leaves every fall and the following sprite 

 put out new ones. This deciduous habit S'^es the trees an appearance in winter of dead conifers. 

 A single foreign species fcnown as the European Larch iLarii decidua Mill.), is planted ex- 

 tensively for ornamental purr>oses and lately to a limited extent for forestry purposes. It is a 

 very rapid grower and will thrive on drier and less fertile soil than our native eastern species. 

 It should not be planted pure but mixed with other species. 



FORK — A medium-sizeil tree usually attaining a height of 30-*X> ft. with a diameter of 1-2J 

 ft., but many r«ach a height of llO ft. with a diameter of 3 ft. Shrubby towanis the uorthern 

 limits of its range Trunfe straight, continuous, aud bearing rather straight, slender, and 

 sUshily ascending branches which form in the open a narrow pyramidal crown. 



BARK— Od main trunk rather close but roughened by small, thin, roundish, reddish brown 

 s^ul.s. On the smaller branches it is smooth, thin, bluish-gray. See Fig. 49. 



TWIGS — At first covered with a bloom, slender, smooth, later becoming dull brown, covered 

 with numerous, short, stoat, spur-like lateral branches. 



BTTDS— Occur at end of spar-like lateral branches and along last season's growth: small. aK>ut 

 *J ." t>r au inch long, slobose. smooth, shining, and dark red in color. 



LEAVES — Linear, triangular in cross-section. Ml inches long, rounded above, keeled below, 

 and deciduous. They occur either singly along terminal shoots or clustered in fascicles on short 

 spur-like lateral branches. 



I^AF-SCARS — Distinctly dev-urrent. very small, triangular in outliue. and contain a single 



bundle scar. 



FLOWERS — Appear about May with the leaves. Staminate flowers sessile, sub-globose, yel- 

 low, and borne on one or two year old branches. Pistillate flowers short-stalked, oblong, reddish. 

 and lK»rne on lateral branches of previous year, 



FRUIT— A cone, ovoid. light brown with blunt apex. J-J of an inch long, consisting of about 

 20 scales which are largest near the middle aud smaller towards the base aud apex. Seeds 

 winged, about i of an inch long and mature In one year, 



WOOD — Non-porous: somewhat resinous, very heavy, hard, strong, very durable in contact with 

 the soil : heartwotHl bright red : sapwood uarnjw and white. Weighs SS.S6 lbs. per cubic foot. 

 I'sed fpr fcuce posts, tcicirraph poles, railroad ties, and in ship bulldiug. 



DISTINGTHSHING CHARACTERISTICS— The American I-arch. also known as Tamarack. Hack- 

 ma tack, and lUtick Larch, ts the only native deciduous conifer of Pennsylvania. In winter it 

 is without leaves and presents the appearance of a dead tree. The leading branches with their 

 spur like lateral branches bearing tufts of linear leaves in summer and small reddish buds in 

 winter, are charaotertlstic. It bears little resemblance to any of our native conifers but does 

 resenible the European Larch il.arix decidua Mill.) which may be distinguished by Its larger 

 cones, stouter and yellower twigs, and longer and more abundant leaves, 



RANGE — Newfoundland south to Pennsylvania, west to Minnesota aud the Rocky Mountains, 

 thnMigh British Columbia to .\taska. It Is one of our few transcontinental species, 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Found locally In moist location^ In Carbon. Centre, 

 Clinton, Craw»ford. Lackawanna. Lycoming. Monroe, Pike, Potter. Tioga and Warren counties. 



HABITAT — Fre<iuents swamps, banks of lakes and rivers, but also thrives on well drained hill- 

 side;. It is one of The most bore.il of eastern tvuifers, extending north beyond the Arctic Circle 

 to the limit of tree growth. On account of its wide range it experiences great diversity In 

 climate. Each varied habitat seems to stamp the tree with some peculiarity which is evident 

 in Its form and structure. It re<|ulres abundant light throughout life, 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — The American Larch Is essentially a northern tree but 

 grows uiiturally in parts of IVnnsylvania and may be grown artificially* in other parts. The 

 tree is especially adapte<l for wet locations and hence may be used where other more valuable 

 species will not grow. Seedlings cau be grown in the nursery aud transplanted with success, 

 but they should not bo planted in dry locations. It has a very destructive enemy iu a saw fly, 

 which has recently destroyed a large number of tr«es over an extensive territory in the north- 

 east. 



