European larch | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Pine
Family (botanic) Pinaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 70-75 feet
Mature width 25-30 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil
Season of interest early fall, mid fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Irregular, Pyramidal
Growth rate Fast, Moderate
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Intolerant of pollution
Wildlife Insect-eating birds, Moths, Seed-eating birds
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Europe.

Bark color and texture:

Mature bark is scaly and reddish brown.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Needles grow in clusters of 2 inch long needles on older branches and singularly on new growth. They are bright green in spring changing to medium green throughout summer. Fall color is golden yellow. Needles are deciduous.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Female flowers are 1/2 inch long and reddish in color. Male flowers are smaller, yellow, and catkin-like. Male and female flowers bloom along the same twigs.