Alphabetical Plant Listing

Larix laricina (American Larch)

American Larch, Tamarack, Black Larch, Hackmatack, Eastern Larch, Red Larch, Eastern Tamarack


Perfect for very cold climates, Larix laricina (American Larch) is a small to medium-sized, deciduous conifer of elegant beauty. It features an upright, pyramidal form with horizontal to slightly ascending branches. Unlike most cone-bearing trees, American Larch loses its foliage each winter. Its light blue-green needles turn bright yellow before they fall in the fall. They are produced spirally on long shoots and in dense clusters on long woody spur shoots. The conical cones, the smallest of any larch, are bright red at first, later turning brown and opening to release the seeds when mature, a few months after pollination. The bark of young trees is gray, smooth, becoming reddish brown and scaly. Fast-growing and very hardy, American Larch makes a wonderful specimen in a large landscape where its pristine bright green spring foliage and lustrous gold fall display can be admired.

  • Grows up to 40-80 ft. tall (12-24 m) and 15-30 ft. wide (4-9 m).
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, acidic, well-drained soils. Intolerant of full shade, dry soils, and pollution.
  • Virtually pest free. Watch for honey fungus and canker.
  • No pruning required
  • Native to Northern North America

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Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 5
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Larix - Larches
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 40' – 80' (12m – 24m)
Spread 15' – 30' (4.5m – 9m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, West Virginia
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By Andrea J Smith, Erika J Mitchell, Mark Herreid / Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 2 – 5
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Larix - Larches
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 40' – 80' (12m – 24m)
Spread 15' – 30' (4.5m – 9m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer

Guides with Larix - Larches

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