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AMERICAN LARCH. 

 Larix laricina, (Du Roi) Koch. 



GENirS DESCRIPTION — This genus comprises about 10 species found in the cooler portion of the 

 northern hemisphere and occasionally extends 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 

 is found in Pennsylvania. The Larches all shed their leaves every fall and the following spring 

 put out new ones. This deciduous habit gives the trees an appearance in winter of dead conifers. 

 A single foreign species known as the European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.), is planted ex- 

 tensively for ornamental purposes 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. 



FORM — A medium-sized tree usually attaining a height of 30-60 ft. with a diameter of l-2i 

 ft., but many reach a height of 110 ft. with a diameter of 3 ft. Shrubby towards the northern 

 limits of its range. Trunk straight, continuous, and bearing rather straight, slender, and 

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



BARE — On main trunk rather close but roughened by small, thin, roundish, reddish-brown 

 scales. 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, stout, spur-like lateral branches. 



BUDS — Occur at end of spur-like lateral branches and along last season's growth; small, about 

 2/5 of an inch long, globose, smooth, shining, and dark red in color. 



LEAVES — Linear, triangular in cross-section, i-lit 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. 



LEAF-SCARS — Distinctly decurrent, very small, triangular in outline, 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 borne on lateral branches of previous year. 



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

 20 scales which are largest near the middle and smaller towards the base and 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; heartwood bright red; sapwood narrow and white. Weighs 38.86 lbs. per cubic foot. 

 Used for fence posts, telegraph poles, railroad ties, and in ship building. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The American Larch, also known as Tamarack, Hack- 

 matack, and Black Larch, is 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 charactertistic. It bears little resemblance to any of our native conifers but does 

 resemble the European Larch (Larix 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 and the Rocky Mountains, 

 through British Columbia to Alaska. It is one of our few transcontinental species. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Found locally in moist locations in Carbon, Centre, 

 Clinton, Crawford, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties. 



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

 sides. It is one of the most boreal of eastern conifers, 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 requires abundant light throughout life. 



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

 grows naturally in parts of Pennsylvania and may be grown artificially in other parts. The 

 tree is especially adapted for wet locations and hence may be used where other more valuable 

 species will not grow. Seedlings can be grown in the nursery and transplanted with success, 

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

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

 east. 



