Larix decidua; 'Larch'

The bark becomes increasingly fissured with age, with the bark thickening over time also. The branches grow horizontally from the trunk, the needles growth in clumps on the branches of around 40 in a bunch, with the needles being around 3cm in length. 

A deciduous conifer which forms a tall straight looking tree and often seen growing together in plantations used for timber.  During the winter in these Common Larch plantations they are light and airy, so during spring woodland flowers are generally found.

Larches are a native species of mainland Europe but has become established in England as a timber species as these trunks grown straight perfect for logs.

This Larch was found in Platfields Park it was growing in between a Scott Pines and growing under a Holly bush. These plants often grown together, as the larch and Scott pine growth tall and don’t out compete each other and holly is tolerant of low light conditions which mature larch creates.

As Larch is very fast growing with a high resin content it’s a great trees to use as timber, an increase of sustainable Larch woodlands is a great idea.