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Siberian Larch

Larix sibirica

This is one tough tree. In my first year of growing trees, I missed watering a pen of 160 larch. It was hot. It was August. Suddenly all but about 6 of the larches turned yellow, dropped their needles.

I used some words that can't be printed here on a family website.

I was busy, and didn't get around to emptying the pots to reuse.

The following spring, what did I see: Green bits. They were about a week later than the rest of the batch, but nearly all of them survived.

So now my motto is that a tree isn't dead until it's two years dead.

Larch are unusual conifers: They shed their needles in the fall. Most conifers are pretty much static thorugh the year. Larch greet spring looking like a dead christmas tree with peppercorns glued on the branches. The black buds break open and initially there are these tiny tufts of pool table felt. The net effect from a distance is a thin green fog. The needles open up as pale green. As the summer progresses they get darker, and fill it a bit. In fall the needles turn yellow orange for about two weeks.

Compared to most conifers Larch produce very light shade. You can garden under the tree. Acid loving plants are best, as the fall of needles makes the soil acidic. Bonemeal can compensate.

Larch can be grown free form, or can be pruned into a hedge, I'm told. Mind you, I've not seen any one do that.

Guidelines

Features:

• Needle tree that goes through seasonal changes like a leaf tree.
• Orange-yellow fall colour.
• Open shade permits growing other things below them.
• Very drought tolerant once established.

Zone: Zone 2

Size: 50 to 80 feet tall by 25 feet wide.

Growth rate: Medium fast. 2-3 feet per year.

Soil: Wet to moderately dry. Doesn't tolerate chalky or shallow soils.

Sun: Full sun preferred. Tolerates light shade.

Water: During first year. Drought tolerant.

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Siberian Larch		Larix siberica
Location	Potsize	Height	Count	Price
N5	S15	24 - 32 in.	142	$5 ($5 per cell)
RA18	T1	24 - 30 in.	27	$12 - $15 ($6 per foot)
PA00	Stu2	40 - 60 in.	84	$20 - $30 ($6 per foot)
PD51	Stu2	48 - 72 in.	86	$24 - $36 ($6 per foot)
PD21	T1	48 - 60 in.	264	$24 - $30 ($6 per foot)
PD32	Stu2	60 - 84 in.	252	$30 - $42 ($6 per foot)
PD43	Stu5	60 - 84 in.	118	$30 - $42 ($6 per foot)