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Larix kaempferi

Larix kaempferi

Japanese larch, karamatsu

synonym Larix leptolepis

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Description

Larix kaempferi (Japanese larch) is a deciduous conifer native to the mountainous regions of the Japanese island of Honshu. This pioneer species naturally grows in mountains between 500 and 2,900 meters altitude on moist soils. The species was introduced to Europe in 1861 by plant collector John Gould Veitch and grew into an important forestry and landscape tree. The Japanese larch typically reaches a height of twenty-five to thirty-five meters, with a crown width of eight to fifteen meters. Young trees grow very quickly, have a semi-open, regularly pyramidal crown, while older specimens develop a broader, more open, irregular crown with characteristically horizontal to slightly ascending branches.

The needles are soft, blue-green to dark green in color and are arranged in bundles of fifty on short shoots. In spring, they emerge bright green. In autumn, they turn a spectacular golden yellow, after which they fall off. The species is monoecious; in spring, before the leaves emerge, small yellowish male cones appear, as do vertical reddish-pink female flowers that later develop into decorative cones. The cones are oval to round and mature brown to grayish-brown. The bark is initially reddish-brown and smooth, but with age becomes thicker, grayish-brown, deeply furrowed, and peels off in large scales. Young twigs are strikingly reddish-brown to purplish-brown and often slightly glaucous.

Larix kaempferi is widely used in forestry, landscape plantings, and large parks, where it is valued for its rapid growth, beautiful autumn color, and characteristic shape. The species grows best on nutrient-rich, well-drained, and sufficiently moist soils, but tolerates poorer, acidic, and shallow soils better than the European larch. It does not tolerate lime. A position in full sun is essential, and the Japanese larch is well resistant to wind, sea wind, but sensitive to air pollution. This tree is used more in Europe than the European larch and can also be pruned very well as a hedge plant.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees conifers woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Topiary

hedge element hedge element

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside windbreak coastal area

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide pyramidal wide pyramidal

Crown structure

open open

Height

25 - 35 m

Width

8 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Larix kaempferi? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Larix kaempferi standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Larix kaempferi standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Larix kaempferi standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Larix kaempferi standard tree
feathered feathered
Larix kaempferi feathered
feathered feathered
Larix kaempferi feathered
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Larix kaempferi multi-stem
flowers flowers
Larix kaempferi flowers
flowers flowers
Larix kaempferi flowers
flowers flowers
Larix kaempferi flowers
leaves leaves
Larix kaempferi leaves
leaves leaves
Larix kaempferi leaves
leaves leaves
Larix kaempferi leaves
leaves leaves
Larix kaempferi leaves
fruits fruits
Larix kaempferi fruits
fruits fruits
Larix kaempferi fruits
fruits fruits
Larix kaempferi fruits
fruits fruits
Larix kaempferi fruits
fruits fruits
Larix kaempferi fruits
bark bark
Larix kaempferi bark
bark bark
Larix kaempferi bark
bark bark
Larix kaempferi bark
bark bark
Larix kaempferi bark
twigs twigs
Larix kaempferi twigs
twigs twigs
Larix kaempferi twigs

Seasonal colours

Larix kaempferi seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

spadix standing small

Flower colour

yellow pink-red

Flowering period

April

Leaves

Leaf colour

blue-green dark green buds bright green

Leaves

deciduous needles or scales short needles

Autumn colour

golden yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking cones

Bark

Bark colour

red-brown

Bark

peeling deeply furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

orange-red red-brown

Twigs

horizontal branches

Root system

Root system

deep extensive highly branched central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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