Common Name: Japanese Larch

General Information

Larix kaempferi is a deciduous tree with a broad, pyramidal crown; it tusually grows around 30 - 35 metres tall, but can reach 40 metres, with a trunk around 100 - 150cm in diameter[].
An extremely important timber tree in Japan where it is widely harvested from the wild and also planted. The tree is also cultivated for its timber outside its native range in countries including Scotland[]. It is a frequently planted amenity tree in parks and large gardens and a limited number of cultivars are known[].
Larix kaempferi has a fairly restricted range in central Hoshu, Japan. It is an extremely important timber tree and although it has been heavily exploited over time, there has been supplemental re-planting of the species essentially for commercial reasons.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Japan (central Honshu)

Habitat

Mountains, growing in mesic sites on better soils; at elevations from 500 - 2,300 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	35.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Larix kaempferi is found at higher elevations in central Japan where the climate is cold, with snowy winters and abundant rain in cool summers[]. It is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[]. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils, but they tolerate acid and infertile soils[]. This species of Larix is usually found wild on better quality soils, often of recent volcanic origin, and is never found wild on peat soils[]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[].
This species is very cold-hardy when fully dormant, but the trees can be excited into premature growth in mild maritime areas by mild spells during the winter and they are then very subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[].
Slow growing for its first two or three years from seed, it is then very vigorous making between 1 and 1.5 metres increase in height a year[]. The belief that older trees do not do so well is erroneous, 50 year old specimens in Britain are still growing rapidly[]. Trees have been planted for timber in N.W. Europe[].
The heavy leaf-fall from this species soon suppresses any other vegetation, including rhododendrons[]
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value, most of these are dwarf forms[].
Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[].
The trees are attractive to small finches, tits and treecreepers[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[].

Other Uses

The heavy leaf-fall of this species has lead to it being planted as a fire-break in some areas where pine trees are grown[].

The bark contains tannin[].

Wood - strong, heavy and durable[, ]. The wood is similar to that of European Larch and is used for construction, railway sleepers, pit props and the pulp industry[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. The seed remains viable for 3 years[]
If you are growing larger quantities of plants, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Grow on the seedlings in the seedbed for a couple of years until they are ready to go into their permanent positions then plant them out during the winter.