Common Name:

General Information

Larix mastersiana is a deciduous tree with a usually broad, domed or conical crown; it can grow around 20 - 25 metres tall with a trunk around 80cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its valuable timber. It is used in afforestation projects in China[].
Once occurring in large stands, due to over-exploitation Larix mastersiana currently has a very restricted area of occupancy and is only known from three locations. There has been a recent decline in the number of mature individuals due to recent logging and natural disasters
Additionally there has been an estimated decline of more than 70% within the last three generations as a result of logging between the 1950s and 1970s. Some regeneration within remaining locations has recently been recorded. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - central southern China (western Sichuan)

Habitat

Found in podzolic mountain soils, usually on steep slopes with good drainage, most commonly growing in secondary growth following forest clearance; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	22.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Larix mastersiana is a native to high elevations in a moist, cold-temperate climate[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is uused in afforestation projects[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].

A timber tree used for construction, pit props, railway sleepers and furniture; the bark yields tannins. It has been over-exploited in its natural range, especially in more accessible localities. Outside China, where it is used in afforestation, this species is not in cultivation as an ornamental except for a few specimens in living tree collections[]

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.