Larch
Larch
Larches are deciduous conifers in the genus Larix, of the family Pinaceae. Growing to as much as 60 m (195 ft) tall, they are native to the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They grow in lowland forests in the far north, and high in mountains further south. Larches are among the dominant plants in the boreal forests of Siberia and Canada, making them the most abundant genus of trees on earth. Larch wood is tough and relatively durable; it is used in boatbuilding, cladding), decking), garden furniture, fencing, and construction. Products extracted from larch include arabinogalactan, rosin, turpentine, and an essential oil.
Etymology
The English name larch was recorded in 1548 by the botanist William Turner). It derives from the German Lärche, in turn from the Middle High German larche, which is conjectured to derive from an unrecorded Old High German name for the tree, larihha. That derives from the Latin name of the tree, Larix. The Latin name probably was borrowed from a Gaulish language spoken in the Alps.
Habit and foliage
The tallest species, Larix occidentalis, can reach 50 to 60 m (165 to 195 ft). Larch tree crowns are sparse, with the major branches horizontal and in whorls; the second and third order branchlets are roughly horizontal in some species, pendulous in others. Larch shoots are dimorphic, with needle-like leaves borne singly on long shoots with several buds, and in dense clusters of 20–50 needles on short shoots with only a single bud. Larch wood is resinous. The bark of young trees is smooth; that of older trees is thick and scaly. Larches are among the few deciduous conifers, which are usually evergreen.
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