Larix occidentalis
Western larch · also Western tamarack, Montana larch, Mountain larch
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Larix occidentalis, commonly known as western larch, is a deciduous conifer native to the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. It has soft, bright green needles that turn golden yellow and drop in the fall. This species thrives in full sun, prefers well-drained soils, and is often shorter in urban landscapes compared to its native habitat.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 250.01%9.4 yr2.8 in
- 170.01%—3.0 in
- 90.01%0.5 yr0.8 in
- 50.01%—12 in
- 40.03%—19 in
Traits
- Form
- Conifer
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 30–50 ft
- Canopy spread
- 10–15 ft
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Wildlife value
- Moderate
- Blooms
- Mar, Apr, May
Trunk diameters across every city: median 3.1 in, mean 7.0 in, 90th percentile 14 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Conifer Forests
- Alberta-British Columbia foothills forests
- Northern Rockies conifer forests
Other Larix in the catalogue
9 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
