Description
American Larch, also known as Tamarack or Hackmatack, is native to North America and loves cool weather. As one of our few native deciduous conifer trees, it provides brilliant color every fall. As you drive through northern Michigan, it is easy to spot in the swampy areas in the fall. There is a beautiful section of M123 in the UP that has miles of tamarack. This is a wonderful tree for swampy or moist places, but it will not survive dry areas. It also does not thrive in polluted city conditions or hot areas.
It has a beautiful, open pyramidal shape with a narrow crown. The cones that it produces are around 1/2″ long, while the needles are anywhere from 3/4″ to 1″ long and blueish in color. Needles are arranged on drooping branchlets and are shed in the fall. If you want the beautiful qualities of our native Larch but have a dry area you might want a Japanese Larch or maybe a European Larch.
American Larch
Scientific Name: Larix laricina
Zone: 1-5
Mature Height: 30-80 ft
Mature Width: 20-30 ft
Growth Rate: 12-30″
Soil: Moist
Sun Requirements: Sun, Light Shade
Fall Color: Brilliant Yellow
Wildlife Value: Grouse eat the seeds and many animals use them for cover.
