PSEUDOLAEIX 



GONIFEBS 



LABIX 1005 



A. sibirica {A. Pichta; Picea Pichta). 

 A native of N. and B. Eussia, with 

 dark green leaves, silvery white beneath. 

 This is a very slow-growing species, and 

 it takes years to obtain a really good 

 specimen in this country. 



Culture Ac. as above. 



A. Veitchi (A. Eichleri ; A. nephro- 

 lepis ; Picea Veitchi ; Pinus selenolepis) . 

 A beautiful Japanese tree attaining a 

 height of 120-140 ft. in a wild state at 

 elevations between 6000 and 7000 ft. 

 The leaves are crowded and spreading in 

 two rows, ^-1 in. long, flat, linear, glau- 

 cous above, silvery beneath. The erect 

 somewhat cylindrical cones, 2-3 in. long 

 and about 1 in. wide, are purple-brown, 

 with kidney-shaped scales enclosing a 

 short wedge-shaped bract. 



Culture dc. as above. Although first 

 introduced forty years ago, and again 

 twenty years ago, it is still not largely 

 grown. 



A. webbiana {A. cMloensis ; Picea 

 ivebbiana). — A handsome pyramidal tree 

 found on the eastern Himalayas at eleva- 

 tions between 9000 and 13,000 ft. and 

 growing 80-90 ft. high. Its numerous hori- 

 zontally spreading branches are ' much 

 divided and densely clothed with beau- 

 tiful light green linear leaves about 1-2J 

 in. long, silvery beneath. The deep 

 purple cylindrical cones are 6-7 in. 

 long and 2 in. or more broad, with 

 roundish kidney-shaped scales and ob- 

 long pointed bracts. 



The variety Pimdrow (other wise known 

 as Ahies, Picea, and Pinus Pind/row) has 

 longer and more sharply toothed leaves 

 and smaller cones. There are specimens 

 of the type in various parts of the country 

 varying from 30 to 60 ffc. high. 



Culture dc. as above. 



PSEUDOLARIX (Golden, False or 

 Chinese Larch). — A genus containing 

 only one species : — 



P. Ksempferi (P. Fortwnei; Ahies, 

 Larix and Pinus Kcempferi). — A highly 

 ornamental tree native of China, where it 

 reaches a height of 120-130 ft., and has 

 1 branches like those of the Common Larch. 

 The leaves are in bundles on the full- 

 grown branches, but scattered on the 

 young shoots, linear lance-shaped, 1^-2J 

 in. long, beautiful bright green when 

 young, turning to golden-yellow in 

 autumn — hence the popular name of 



Golden Larch. The drooping cones are 

 about 3 in. long and 2J in. wide near the 

 base, tapering upwards, with deciduous 

 scales. 



Culture and Propagation The 



Golden Larch is perfectly hardy and suc- 

 ceeds on a gravelly loam. It is the only 

 golden-leaved Conifer that loses its foliage, 

 and even in a leafless state the yellowish- 

 green or golden-brown of the young shoots 

 is very effective and beautiful. It may 

 be increased by seeds sown when ripe in 

 cold frames and transplanted when the 

 seedlings are 2 or 3 years old. 



LARIX (Larch) A genus of orna- 

 mental trees with long shoots and scattered 

 or tufted linear leaves, which fall in 

 winter. Flowers monoecious, the male 

 catkins in egg-shaped short spikes, the 

 female ones erect, soHtary, ovate and 

 much longer than the males. Cones 

 small, bluntly ovoid or somewhat cylin- 

 drical, and consisting of a few woody 

 persistent scales. Seeds winged, very 

 small. Seed leaves 6-8, 3-cornered or 

 flat. 



Culture and Propagation. — The 

 culture and propagation of the Larch 

 follow the same Imes as laid down for the 

 Pines (p. 990). In spring time, when the 

 new leaves are developing, they are very 

 effective objects in the landscape on 

 account of the beautiful fresh green colour 

 of the foUage in striking contrast to the 

 brown and greyish trunks. 



L. europsa {L. decidua ; L. excelsa ; 

 L.pyramidaUs ; Pinus Larix). — Common 

 Larch. — A well-known European tree, 

 80-100 ft. high, with horizontally spread- 

 ing branches and soft, bluntly hnear bright 

 green leaves in spring, gradually assuming 

 a more sombre hue. Cones erect, about 

 1 in. long, oblong ovoid, ripening late in 

 autumn and remaining a long time on the 

 trees. 



Culture and Propagation. — The Larch 

 is far more valuable as a timber tree 

 than as an ornamental plant for the park 

 or garden. Judiciously mixed with other 

 trees, especially evergreens, it serves as a 

 contrast in early spring with its bright 

 foliage, and in winter with its bare 

 branches. The Larch grows naturally at 

 high altitudes on the Alps and mountains 

 of N. Europe in a pure atmosphere, with 

 plenty of sunshine, and although it hkes 

 plenty of moisture the drainage at the 

 roots must be perfect. After its long 



