(138) 

 PART 11— LARCHES 



CONIFERS THAT LOSE THEIR LEAVES 



The collection of Larches is located on the ridge between the 

 Central Drive through the Garden and the open meadow to the 

 east of it (Map p. 137). Let us locate ourselves at the curve in 

 the path, as indicated on the map. Two small larches are located 

 on the south side of this point. They are the only two trees there 

 with flat needle-like leaves in clusters. In winter they are bare, 

 but their branchlets are covered with many regular short spurs. 



The nearer of these two trees is a European Larch, and the 

 farther one is a Japanese Larch. The latter may be distinguished 

 by the two white stripes on the lower side of the leaves, which 

 are less conspicuous on the European species. More of these 

 trees stand on the north side of the curve in the path. 



In considering the larches we meet the second kind of coniferous 

 trees that lose their leaves in the autumn. The first case was that 

 of the Bald Cypress and the third and last will be the Golden 

 Larch. 



As we proceed through the group on the north side of the curve 

 in the path the first two trees are 



Larix Larix, the European Larch 



This is a valuable tree of rapid growth for parks and large 

 private estates. It is hardly suitable for small areas because of its 

 tall habit and deciduous nature. It does well in sandy soil. 



The European Larch is distinguished from its Japanese rela- 

 tive by its grayish bark and leaves that are green rather than 

 bluish green. The scales of the cones are not curved at their tips. 

 It has a very wide distribution from the Alps of central Europe to 

 northern Russia and Siberia and attains a height of 140 feet. It 

 is one of the leading timber trees of Europe and its wood is used 

 in a great variety of industries. The trees are extensively used for 

 forestation purposes in Europe, particularly in England. 



The bark has astringent and other medicinal properties and has 

 also been used in tanning and dyeing. An oleo-resin known as 

 Venice or Larch Turpentine is obtained by tapping the trees in 



