Larix eurolepis (Hybrid Larch)

Hybrid Larch

 

Price £ each (ex VAT)

Height Age 25+ 100+ 500+
30-40cm 1u1 0.98 0.56 0.51

Delivery

Bareroot from November to April

Prices

The prices above are offered as a guide and may be subject to fluctuation dependant upon the time of season and supply. We recommend that contact is made with the office for larger orders, a quotation and to check availability Alternatively please contact us to enquire about opening a wholesale account.

A cross between the European and the Japanese Larch, sometimes known as the Dunkeld Larch after the place where it was first raised in the early years of the twentieth century. It grows faster than either of its parents, and copes better with poor thin soils and higher elevations, and is planted extensively as a commercial forest crop.

Site and soil

Ideally the Hybrid Larch prefers a deep moist site, but it is tolerant of poorer, drier soils. Wind tolerant, it will grow well at high elevations and is planted on mountainsides in Scotland.

Height and spread

After 10 years: 11m x 3m
After 20 years: 18m x 4m

Leaf and bark

The needle-like leaves are borne in tufts on the stems and appear in early spring. They turn golden yellow before leaf fall in autumn. The bark is grey-brown with vertical fissures.

Flower, seed and fruit

The flowers appear in March; the females are reddish-purple, followed by brown cones up to 4cm long. The scales on the cones turn slightly outwards.

Uses

Commercial forestry and plantations, shelterbelts, woodland. Nurse tree for slower growing species. The wood is very strong, durable and flexible and is used in boat-building, construction and garden furniture. Because Larch it weatherproof, it is often used for fence posts which will not rot in the ground. The bark has been used for tanning, and turpentine is extracted from the resin. All species of Larch are popular as Bonsai subjects. The caber at Highland Games is always made from Larch.

Wildlife

Nesting site for Sparrowhawks and Goshawks. Other birds attracted to the Larch are the Crossbill, Tree Creeper, Wryneck, Fieldfare, Redwing and Crested Tit. The light canopy allows plants to flourish on the woodland floor.

Pruning

The Hybrid Larch is not normally pruned.