What is larch. Is larch a deciduous or coniferous tree? Features and distribution of the plant

What is larch? Is it leafy or conifer tree? The features of the breed are described in this article.

Description of the breed. Is larch a deciduous or coniferous tree?

Larix is the Latin name for a very interesting tree - larch. In height, it grows up to fifty meters, while the diameter of the trunk does not exceed one meter. Each plant lives three hundred to five hundred years, although the old-timers of the Earth are known, who are already about eight hundred years old.

The plant looks interesting: it has a conical crown, but it is very loose, translucent in many places. If the tree grows in an area where the winds blow predominantly in one direction, then the larch crown will form in the form of a flag.

The root system of the tree is very powerful and tenacious - it is easily kept on steep slopes even in strong winds. For greater stability, the lower branches of larch take root.

Amazing Feature

This species has modified leaves - needles. It would seem that in this place the question of which larch tree is coniferous or deciduous is no longer relevant. But the needles of larix are special - very soft, not prickly, pleasant to the touch, growing in bunches of 40-50 pieces or singly. In addition, it is an annual, that is, it falls off every autumn, and grows again in the spring - young, bright green. It is this fact that most often raises doubts about whether larch belongs to coniferous or deciduous trees. Since neither spruce, nor pine, nor fir - traditional representatives of conifers - do not shed their needles for the winter. Everyone knows that the Christmas tree "in winter and summer - one color." However, those who are interested in whether larch is a deciduous or coniferous tree should know that it is still a coniferous species belonging to the Pine family.

botanical properties

Larch loves the sun very much. In the shade, it does not grow at all and does not bear fruit. The tree chooses places flooded with sunlight. Under favorable conditions, it grows extremely fast - up to one meter per year!

Other agro-climatic conditions do not play such an important role:

larch is resistant to low temperatures, calmly tolerates severe frosts;
undemanding to the composition of the soil. It grows equally well on soils poor in humus, on dry and waterlogged soils, and moss swamps. But prefers sandstones of river valleys.

Larch can create pure plantings or coexist with spruce, fir, birch and other species. It is noteworthy that this tree is not damaged by rodents, does not affect diseases.

Kinds

Now we know the answer to the question, larch is a deciduous or coniferous tree. And who knows that this is one of the most common breeds on the planet? More than twenty of its species are known: Daurian, Amur, Kamchatka, European, Primorsky, Siberian, Okhotsk, Kuril, Olginskaya, Chekanovsky, Gmelin, Middendorf, Komarov, Griffitz, Lyubarsky, Potanin, Lyell larch, American larch, thin-scaly, western, Polish and some others. They differ in the places of growth, the length and width of the shoots, the shape and size of the cones, the appearance of the needles. But they all belong to the Pine family, and no one doubts that larch is a coniferous or deciduous tree. The features of all species are the same - soft needles that fall in the winter.

Distribution area

Larch is very widespread on earth. It grows throughout the northern hemisphere of the planet. In Russia, 38% of the forest area is occupied by larch plantations, and this is a huge territory! The tree grows on Far East and throughout Siberia, in Northern and Western Europe up to the Carpathians, in places in Central Europe, throughout North America, Canada. Larch can be found even far beyond the Arctic Circle!

Use in the national economy

Larch is widely used in everyday life. Its wood is highly durable, resinous and resilient. In terms of hardness, it is far ahead of other tree species, second only to oak. A big plus of larch is that it is very resistant to decay. By the way, all of Venice stands on wooden piles made of Siberian larch. Surprisingly, having been in water for centuries, it not only did not rot, but became harder than iron. Now even an ax will not take such a pile.

All these characteristics determine the widespread use of the species in construction, as well as in the furniture business. Berths, ships, bridges, underwater structures are built from larch. It is used in the design of interior and exterior interiors, as well as in industry - they produce turpentine. Containers for liquids are made from wood - barrels, vats. Piles, masts, sleepers, mill wings - all this is also made from larch. Very often it is used for the manufacture of sports and children's game equipment, fences, sidewalks, front gardens.

Interesting fact: the frame of the Soviet trucks ZIS-5 and UralZIS are made of larch.

Larch in folk medicine

Any items made from Siberian larch have a natural ability to purify the air, rid it of harmful volatile substances. Phytoncides contained in wood help the body cope with colds. They also actively destroy viruses, soothe nervous system and get rid of migraines. Hypertension and hypotension patients are advised to decorate the interior of the house with larch or at least have a few items made from this tree.

The needles of this breed are very rich in ascorbic acid. An infusion of fresh needles is used as an excellent remedy for scurvy, as well as for the prevention of various diseases, strengthening the immune system. Siberian larch is able to give Siberian health.

Baths made from larch needles are also very useful. They help those who suffer from joint diseases. Turpentine is a medicine against gout and rheumatism, which is made from larch resin.

Instead of total

Now you know that larch is a deciduous or coniferous tree, as well as all the features and characteristics of the breed, where it grows and areas of application.

Thanks

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Larch- one of the most common plants in Russia, so it is not surprising that even our ancestors used this tree, enriched with trace elements and biologically active substances, to treat many diseases. The benefits and uses of larch in folk medicine will be discussed in this article.

plant description

Larch is a woody monoecious plant from the Pine family. This tree is considered the only deciduous tree among all the variety of conifers.

Under favorable conditions, the height of larch can reach 40 meters or more. This is a long-lived tree, the age of which can vary between 300 - 600 years and even more (larches are registered, whose age is 800 years).

Larch grows quickly, withstands low temperatures and can grow in permafrost conditions. In addition, this plant is distinguished by smoke and gas resistance.

What does a larch coniferous tree look like?

Larch is a tall, beautiful coniferous tree that loses its needles for the winter.

The young tree has a clear cone-shaped crown, while the old tree has a wide open crown. Under the condition of sparse plantings, the crown will be sprawling, but in closed spaces it will be highly raised and relatively narrow.

Male spikelets, which have a rounded ovoid shape, have a yellowish tint, and female cones are reddish-pink or green.

Annual needles shed in autumn are soft and narrowly linear, turning light green in spring and golden yellow in autumn. The length of the needles reaches 1.5 - 4.5 cm (it all depends on the breed of larch).

Small cones of larch can be round, ovoid or almost cylindrical. Cones ripen in early spring, and the seeds from them spill out in early spring or summer next year, while empty cones can decorate trees for several more years. Cones fall in autumn.

Seeds retain germination for one or two (rarely three or four) years. It should be noted that the seeds that have fallen from lonely standing trees are practically dissimilar.

The bark of a tree trunk can be dark or light (depending on the type of larch).

Where does it grow?

The area of growth of larch spread from forests of mixed type, located in the Western and Northern Europe, and up to the Carpathians in the east. In Russia, this tree can most often be found in Siberia and the Far East.

Larch is an extremely photophilous and undemanding tree to the soil, which not only does not renew itself in shading, but also does not grow.

This tree can be found in moss swamps, on dry or, on the contrary, waterlogged soils, as well as in permafrost conditions. Only in such adverse conditions this tree is most often characterized by short stature and stuntedness.

Fertile soil for larch should be sufficiently moist and well drained.

How to distinguish larch from pine?

Larch sheds leaves and needles on winter period. Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree that can change shades of needles depending on the season.
Larch has soft needles 1.5 - 4.5 cm long, while it is spirally located on the shoots and collected in bunches of 20 - 40 pieces. The length of the pine needles is 5 cm, it is located along the entire trunk in a spiral and collected in bunches of two.
Larch has a thicker trunk, which can reach 1.8 meters in diameter. Pine cannot boast such a powerful trunk.
The larch is crowned with a more transparent crown, and the pine is thick and fluffy.
Larch lives up to 600 years, and pine up to 350.
Larch bark (especially on young trees) is much lighter than pine bark, but in older specimens this difference becomes less noticeable.
Small cones of larch have a very elegant rounded shape, and they are covered with velvety hairs. In winter, it is the cones that are the only decoration of this tree. Pine cones have a classic cone shape. With the advent of spring, the opened pine cones fall off.

Larch varieties

There are about 20 varieties of larch, while outwardly they are very similar. But still in traditional medicine three types of larch are mainly used: European, Dahurian and Siberian. The listed species differ mainly in number, consistency, as well as pubescence and crown shape.

European larch (common)

This type of larch, which is also called common larch, is the largest, since its height can reach 50 m (mostly such specimens grow in the Alps) with a trunk diameter of 2 m. In our climatic conditions The height of this tree is about 25 m.

The crown of common larch has a conical shape, while side shoots she has dangling. The buds of this tree are distinguished by the presence a large number shiny outer scales of a red-brown hue (scales with ciliated edges are located spirally on the kidney).

The needles of European larch are tender and non-thorny. This tree blooms, starting from 15 - 20 years, while the flowers appear in May (flowers are concentrated in small spikelets of yellow or reddish color).

Brown cones, up to 4 cm long, have an ovoid-conical shape and consist of 6 (and sometimes 8) rows of slightly convex scales. I must say that the common larch cones ripen in the fall, and this happens in the year the tree blooms, but they open only in the early spring of the next year. Those cones that were left without seeds can remain on the tree for several years. Young cones turn bright red or pinkish in spring, thus resembling small roses. Mature cones are brownish in color.

The leaves of European larch, collected in bundles, mainly 30-40 pieces, are of unequal length.

Anthelmintic
Pour 100 g of larch resin with 600 ml of alcohol and leave for 20 days, then strain the tincture and take 10 drops (it is also recommended to dilute the product in 100 ml of water) twice - thrice a day.

Young shoots, like buds, are collected in early spring, when the covering scales are still tightly pressed to the bud itself. But the blossoming kidneys are not used in traditional medicine.

Gum (resin), which includes essential oil and rosin, is obtained by cutting during the growing season.

The bark is carefully removed from the felled trees.

How to dry larch?

Needles, buds and young shoots are recommended to be used fresh (accordingly, the shelf life of such raw materials is short). If necessary, both shoots and buds are dried on outdoors or in a warm room, the temperature in which does not exceed 25 degrees. When storing branches at room temperature, vitamins are destroyed after two to three days.

But the bark should be heat treated before use (for example, boiled or steamed in a water bath), and then dried at room temperature (this drying method will help get rid of pests and microorganisms contained in the bark). Such raw materials can be stored for a long time.

The needles are stored in a cold place (it is possible under the snow), which will help to keep the vitamins in full for two to three months.

The composition and properties of larch

Essential oil
Action:

increased secretion of glands;
normalization of the digestive tract;
reduction of fermentation processes in the intestine;
normalization of the functioning of the central nervous system;
increased bile secretion;
toning the cardiovascular system;
elimination of foci of inflammation.

Vitamin C

Action:

lowering the content of uric acid;
normalization of redox processes;
increased immunity;
strengthening of capillaries;
increased growth and development of bone tissue;
elimination of toxins;
elimination of inflammation.

Tannins
Action:

elimination of inflammation formed on the intestinal mucosa, and protecting it from all kinds of irritations;
decrease in the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract;
normalization of digestion;
removal of salts of heavy metals.

Gum
Action:

neutralization or reduction of the negative impact of certain medicines, including antibiotics;
lowering cholesterol levels;
decrease in appetite;
elimination of toxins.

Catechins
Action:

neutralization of free radicals;
prevention of cell destruction, which slows down the aging process;
neutralization of bacteria;
elimination of foci of inflammation.

Flavonoids
Action:

normalization of the central nervous system;
reduction of fragility of capillaries;
normalization of blood pressure;
normalization of the heart rate.

Anthocyanins
Action:

strengthening the heart muscle;
prevention of the development of Alzheimer's disease;
strengthening capillaries and blood vessels;
elimination of bacterial infections;
slowing down the aging process;
normalization of metabolism;
a significant reduction in the risk of developing cancer and diabetes;
normalization of the functioning of the nervous system;
removal of inflammation.

organic acids
Action:

restoration of acidity;
normalization of digestion;
increased blood clotting;
stimulation of the formation of red blood cells;
removal of pain syndrome;
normalization of sleep;
removal of inflammation.

Glycosides
Action:

increased urination;
vasodilation;
promoting sputum discharge;
neutralization of microbes.

Carotene
It is an excellent immune stimulant and antioxidant, which protects the body from the negative effects of free radicals, and this significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer.

lignin
This substance not only absorbs, but also removes salmonella, staphylococci, certain types of fungi, toxins, all kinds of allergens, ammonia, salts of heavy metals through the gastrointestinal tract.

Properties:

enterosorbent;
detoxification;
antidiarrheal;
antioxidant.

In addition, larch is a source of many vitamins, micro and macro elements that ensure the full functioning of the body.

larch properties

Soothing.
Antimicrobial.
Deodorant.
Enveloping.
Laxative.
Hemostatic.
Anthelmintic.
Antiscorbutic.
Anti-inflammatory.
Antibacterial.
Analgesic.
Astringent.
Wound healing.
Detoxification.
Expectorant.
Distracting.
Diuretic.

The benefits of larch

1. Neutralization of the action of microbes and bacteria.
2. Acceleration of the wound healing process.
3. Removal of pain syndrome.
4. Acceleration of blood clotting.
5. Removal or reduction of symptoms of poisoning.
6. Promoting liquefaction of sputum and accelerating its excretion.
7. Elimination of foci of inflammation.
8. Strengthening blood vessels.
9. Normalization of metabolic processes.

Treatment with larch

Needles (leaves)

This part of the larch is used for the preparation of infusions, tinctures and decoctions indicated for bleeding gums, coughs, weakened immunity, toothache, scurvy, colds and exhaustion, and all thanks to the large amount of vitamin C contained in the needles.

So, two teaspoons of chopped fresh pine needles are poured into a glass of milk, after which they are simmered over low heat for no more than 7 minutes, while the container should be tightly closed with a lid. Strained broth is drunk three tablespoons three times a day, 30 minutes before eating.

Needles will help get rid of bad breath and periodontal disease, for which it is enough to chew it (by the way, this part of larch has a pleasant sour taste).

Also, larch leaves are used to prepare a fortified drink, which not only quenches thirst, but also prevents the development of many diseases.

Pine needles are one of the components of dietary salads, which have not only benefits, but also high taste qualities.

Interesting fact! The indigenous population of Yakutia has long used larch needles (or rather larch broth prepared from the inner layer of the tree bark) instead of bread. Such a white and very juicy cambial layer of bark was boiled in water, after which they were eaten, previously diluted with sour milk.

Branches (shoots)

I would like to note right away that branches and shoots are not quite identical concepts: for example, a shoot is only an annual part of a branch, and besides, it is on the shoot that buds form.

Young fresh larch branches are used as an effective analgesic for gout, rheumatism, and joint damage of various etiologies.

Larch shoots are used in the treatment of cough, chronic bronchitis (especially if the disease is accompanied by purulent sputum), flatulence, urolithiasis and helminthic invasions.

Baths with the addition of infusion from fresh branches of the plant are indicated for the elimination of joint pain and neurological diseases.

larch bark

Larch bark has proven itself in the treatment of prostate adenoma and prostatitis, diarrhea, heart failure, cysts, skin cancer, diseases oral cavity. The fact is that the bark is a source of both medical and food pectin, not to mention other useful substances.

As an external agent, larch bark preparations are indicated for abscesses and purulent wounds, trophic ulcers and hemorrhoids.

According to the results of studies conducted by American scientists, it was found that larch bark contains a large amount of arabinogalactan, an extract that perfectly enhances and strengthens the immune system.

With the help of infusions from the bark, you can speed up the healing of a hernia, get rid of diarrhea and intestinal infections, normalize menstrual cycle, especially if the latter is characterized by the fact that menstruation is not only plentiful, but also painful.

Bark powder accelerates the ripening of boils.

Our ancestors used a decoction of the bark as an expectorant, diuretic, laxative and emetic.

Fruits (cones)

The fruits of the plant in the form of small cones are finally formed in the period from September to October. The fruits contain seeds that fall out after the scales open during the process of full ripening.

Mostly larch fruits are part of multicomponent folk remedies, the use of which is indicated for coughs, nervous and heart diseases, and colds.

In addition, green cones collected in May are used to make honey, used in the treatment of asthma. gastrointestinal diseases, physical as well as mental exhaustion.

To prepare a kilogram of pine honey, you need 80 green cones, which are placed in enamelware, are poured with a liter of water and boiled for an hour (the readiness of the cones is indicated by the fact that they can be easily pierced with a fork). Next, the warm broth is filtered, after which 1 kg of sugar is added to it. Honey is put on fire again (sugar should be completely dissolved). In order for honey not to become sugary, it is necessary to add a small amount of honey to it. citric acid. Honey removed from the fire is stored in a dark and cool place, and in a hermetically sealed container. Honey is taken one tablespoon three times a day, washed down with water.

larch buds

Larch buds in the form of infusions and decoctions are used for:

respiratory diseases;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
rheumatism;
diseases of the lungs and kidneys.

Larch buds are often used in combination with other medicinal plants, being part of the so-called "breast collections".

The larch sponge is rightfully considered a long-liver, since its age can reach 70 years. But "adult" specimens are not used in folk medicine, as they are overgrown with a fairly thick woody shell, moreover, the chemical composition of the inside of the fungus undergoes changes over time.

A round-shaped mushroom, the weight of which can be both 30 and 50 kg, has a strong shell, inside which contains a whitish pulp used in medicinal purposes.

A sponge is collected in spring, early summer or autumn, cut down with an ax or knocked off a tree with a stick. The collected raw materials are dried in warm and well-ventilated rooms (ovens can be used).

The use of larch sponge

The composition of the larch sponge includes lipid substances, organic acids, resins, fatty oils, due to which this part of the larch is used in folk medicine as a sedative, mild sleeping pill, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, diuretic and laxative.

Larch sponge is used in the treatment of:

the debilitating sweating that tuberculosis patients often suffer from;
infectious diseases;
kidney diseases;
neuralgia;
violations of the functions of the liver, pancreas and gallbladder;
bronchitis;
colds;
ulcers;
asthma;
hemoptysis;
festering wounds.

The action of the larch sponge:

elimination of temperature;
easier breathing;
increase the body's defenses;
stimulation of the central nervous system;
increased estrogen activity;
improved metabolism;
restoration of the activity of enzyme systems;
regulation of the activity of the cardiovascular system;
removal of inflammation;
increased activity of anticancer drugs;
tumor growth retardation.

Larch Slimming Sponge

According to the results of studies conducted by Japanese doctors, it was found that preparations based on larch sponge restore impaired liver functions through the breakdown of fats. In the course of research, scientists isolated the most useful polysaccharide from the fruiting body, which they called lanofil. This substance helps to normalize the production of enzymes by the liver, which are necessary to restore impaired metabolism, and this naturally leads to the loss of extra pounds.

In addition, larch sponge contributes to weight lossbecause it contains special resinous substances that have a pronounced irritating effect directly on the intestinal mucosa. Simply put, the mushroom acts on the principle of the strongest laxative.

Important! This method of losing weight should be treated with extreme caution, because valuable vitamins will be excreted from the body with loose stools, nutrients and minerals, which can lead to dysbacteriosis. In addition, a sharp loss of fluid can provoke disturbances in the work of many organs and body systems. Therefore, if a decision is made to resort to the help of a larch sponge, it is necessary:

consult a doctor first;
do not exceed the prescribed dosage;
carefully monitor the reaction of the body to the larch sponge.

Agaricus tincture
1 tsp dry chopped mushroom is poured with a glass of hot water. The agent is infused for 8 hours, then filtered and taken in a third of a glass three times a day.

Contraindications to the use of larch chaga

bowel disease;
Pathology of the liver;
Individual intolerance;
Pregnancy;
lactation period;
Children, adolescents, and the elderly.

Side effects

General weakness;
Diarrhea.

Resin (resin) of larch

For medical purposes, in folk medicine, the resin (or resin) of larch, obtained by tapping, is widely used. Resinous secretions are extracted from natural cracks, as well as frost holes or artificial cuts, while, as a rule, hardened resin is extracted (the process of resin maturation can last several years).

Hardened secretions (sometimes with remnants of bark or wood) are collected and boiled, for which the raw material is placed in bags of any loose fabric, after which it is immersed in a container of water (a load is first suspended from the bag, which prevents it from floating up). In the process of heating, the resin melts, floating to the surface, while mechanical impurities remain in the paper bag at the very bottom. After the boiler has cooled, the resin that has hardened and floated to the surface is removed from the tank, rolled into briquettes, formed into sticks or pieces of any other shape.

The resin of this tree consists of an essential oil and rosin (a hard resin), almost entirely composed of abietic acid.

Even Kamchadals, Evenks and Mansi used larch resin to improve digestion, quench thirst and cleanse the mouth.

Today, larch resin as an external irritant and distraction is indicated for such diseases:

gout;
neuralgia.

Ointments based on larch resin, which has an antimicrobial effect, is used for:

inflammation of the respiratory tract;

In the treatment of hemorrhoids, the resin softens and is used in the form of a candle.

In the treatment of cough, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung diseases, the resin is recommended for inhalation.

Larch resin helps to restore the composition of tooth enamel, strengthen gums and tooth roots. Such "chewing gum" will protect teeth from bacteria that cause the development of periodontal disease and caries.

In case of inflammation of the gums and acute toothache, larch resin in the form of a plate is applied to a diseased tooth or gum. The pain goes away in 3-5 minutes.

Larch resin in the form of chewing gum is indicated for gastritis, duodenitis and other diseases of the digestive tract.

Important! It has been proven that larch resin protects the human body for up to four hours from the negative effects of smog, exhaust gases, paint fumes, gasoline and tobacco smoke. To do this, it is enough to chew the resin for 15 minutes. To date, there is no such analogue of individual protection against the listed factors in traditional medicine!

Siberian larch gum

Larch gum is a water-soluble juice collected from fallen or burnt trees that have lain on the ground for more than one year.

Beneficial features

Anti-inflammatory;
antimicrobial;
astringent;
wound healing;
enveloping;
antiscorbutic;
painkiller;
restorative;
antioxidant;
capillary protective;
immunomodulatory;
oncoprotective.

The use of larch gum

Gum action:

Activation of digestive reflexes.
Neutralization of pyogenic flora, namely golden and silver staphylococci.
Binding and removal of excess free radicals from the blood, which prevents premature aging and prevents the formation of neoplasms.

In case of peptic ulcer in the morning on an empty stomach (preferably one hour before a meal), it is recommended to drink 10 g of gum, previously diluted in 50 ml of water.
The subsequent intake is carried out in the same dosage four hours after the last meal.

The use of larch in medicine

Decoction

Infusion

150 g of pine needles are crushed and poured into three glasses cold water, then 10 g of dilute hydrochloric acid is added to the product, after which the mixture is placed for three days in a cool place for infusion. Strained infusion is drunk 200 ml per day.

Tincture

Pour 50 g of fresh Siberian larch needles with 250 ml of vodka and leave for 20 days. The filtered tincture is drunk 20 drops three times a day (the tincture is diluted in 100 ml of water).

Extract (extract)

skin diseases

Larch extract, sold in pharmacies, is taken in accordance with the attached instructions.

Essential oil

It is also used in the form of inhalations for diseases such as bronchitis, bronchiectasis, abscess, gangrene of the lungs and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

When taken internally, one should take into account the fact that the essential oil has an irritating effect on the kidneys and urinary tract.

With toothache, Venetian turpentine is used in the form of compresses that are applied to areas of the skin of the face located opposite the diseased tooth.

Contraindications to the use of larch

individual intolerance;
ulcer of the intestine and stomach;
post-stroke and post-infarction conditions;
severe pathologies of the central nervous system;
lactation period.

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Larch is the most common tree in Russia. In my message, I will talk in detail about it, its features and use in the national economy.

Description

Larch belongs to the coniferous species of the pine family. Its closest relatives are spruce and pine. She grows tall up to 40 meters less often - up to 50 m. The trunks are even, like columns, with a diameter of 1-1.5 meters. Young trees have a light bark and a crown tapering upwards, the trunks of old trees are covered with gray-brown bark and have a round, rare, spreading crown. The root system is powerful, highly branched, without a pronounced central taproot.

Features of growth and reproduction

Larch grows very fast it stretches by 50-100 cm per year. After the age of 20, growth slows down. This is a long-lived tree. Lives 400-600 years.

Two unique features of larch:

Despite the fact that it belongs to coniferous trees, for the winter sheds her needles, which before that turn yellow like ordinary foliage. And in spring, the larch is again covered with young bright green needles.
The larch needles are not prickly, but soft, pleasant to the touch.

Larch is a monoecious plant, female cones up to 5 cm long and male spikelets grow on the same tree. In nature, it reproduces by seeds, which ripen in cones by autumn.

The tree is very unpretentious: tolerates frost and drought well, undemanding to soils, although it grows best on moist soils with great content clay and sand (river valleys, gentle slopes of ravines). Resistant to diseases and pests. But for good larch growth need sunlight. She languishes in shady places.

Spreading

Total 20 species are known of this tree, the most common is Siberian larch. Deciduous forests are widespread throughout the globe. Grows in temperate latitudes. But nowhere are there such vast larch forests as in Russia. The tree occupies 40% of all forests in the country, i.e. an area equal to the area of 5 countries like France! No other tree in the world covers such a vast area.

Wood found everywhere: from west to east from Lake Onega to Sea of Okhotsk, throughout Eastern and Western Siberia, from the tundra in the north to Altai, descending further to the very south of Primorye. In Transbaikalia, forests of Dahurian larch have grown powerfully.

On heavy and swampy soils, in permafrost areas, pure larch forests grow. Under the best natural and climatic conditions, larch grows in coniferous and mixed forests. Well adjacent to, pine,.

National economic importance

Venice stands on a foundation, the basis of which is larch. Recently, experts decided to check how firmly this amazing city stands on the water, because the piles were driven almost 700 years ago. Divers descended into the water and carefully examined the condition of the foundation. The results shocked everyone: not even a sign of rot or other damage was found, larch piles, having spent centuries under water, have become strong as iron, they couldn’t even put a notch on the uneven bars.

Larch wood has such unique properties:

does not rot in water;
not damaged;
differs in very high durability and elasticity;
has a high resin content.

Thanks to these qualities, larch is widely used in the construction of ships, the production of cars, cars, aircraft. Without additional impregnation, wood goes to telegraph poles and sleepers. Great for building bridges, dams and jetties. Logs do not know demolition.

The use in construction of this tree is somewhat limited. Fresh larch board is so dense that it is difficult to drive a nail into it, and from old board it is already impossible to remove a nail from larch wood.

Rosin, sealing wax, turpentine, acetic acid are obtained from this tree. From one cubic meter of larch forest, it is possible to obtain 2000 pairs of stockings or 1500 meters of synthetic silk.

In addition, a very resistant dye for textiles, leather, and skins is made from the bark of this tree. Larch needles are widely used in medicine. She is has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, rich in vitamin C.

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(Larix) - a genus of coniferous trees of the Pine family (Pinaceae). The Latin name of this tree "Larix" was introduced into scientific literature at the beginning of the 16th century, but its origin has not yet been fully elucidated. It is assumed that it is translated from the Gaulish language as "resin", but, according to other experts, this word comes from the Latin "laridum", "lardum" - fat, which also emphasizes the presence of a large amount of resin in larch.

Larch is a tall, slender tree; its height is 25-50, and sometimes 80 m. The root system of the plant is highly branched, deep, with a well-developed tap root. Its structure significantly depends on the characteristics of the soil. In permafrost regions root system superficial, and adventitious roots can form in wetlands. In young trees, the crown has a conical shape, which gradually becomes cylindrical or wide-conical. It is formed by elongated growth shoots, on which the needles are located singly and in a spiral.

This is one of the few coniferous plants, shedding their soft, thin and flat foliage in autumn. However, larch seedlings retain needles throughout the year. Dropping needles is probably special kind adaptation of the tree to the harsh climate, since the northern limit of larch growth goes beyond the Arctic Circle. At the same time, the needles of Gmelin larch and Siberian larch fall off in the second half of October, Siberian larch and American larch shed their golden outfit only in November. In winter, the tree can be recognized by its knotty branches, but in spring, bright green bunches of young needles appear again on larch, which are located on shortened shoots in bunches of 20-40 pieces.
Larch blooms in early spring, simultaneously with the appearance of needles. Male cones are oval-spherical in shape. They are located on leafless shortened shoots mainly on the underside of the branches and abundantly secrete pollen, which does not have air sacs and therefore spreads not far. The oblong female cones are red, pink or green, wind-pollinated, and fertilized in a month.
Larch begins to bear fruit at the age of 15-25 and continues at intervals of 3-5 years until old age. Rounded or oblong cones that mature in the first year are 2-3 cm long. Light brown seeds are located on the seed scales of the cones. Under each seed scale there are two seeds with a large leathery wing. Cones open only in the spring of next year, so you can collect them throughout the winter.

Larch is a fast-growing and long-lived species: some of them live for about 900 years. The most intensive growth is observed at the age of 80-100 years. This genus includes about 20 species of monoecious trees that grow in the Northern Hemisphere, forming larch forests, or growing among other conifers. Several types of larch differ from each other in such insignificant ways that many scientists are still debating which species are independent and which are only a variety of the same species. The European larch (Larix decidua), which is more cold sensitive than other species, is closely related to the American larch (Larix laricina) native to North America. Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) - a tree 30-40 m high, growing in the east and north-east of the European part of Russia, east of the Yenisei is replaced by a close species - Gmelin's larch, or Daurian larch (Larix dahurica), which is distinguished by small (length 10- 20 mm) with ovoid cones. These two types of larches easily put up with the harsh climate of the north. In addition, it is necessary to mention such species as western larch (Larix occidentalis) and Kaempfert (Japanese) larch (Larix kaempferi).

Larch is very useful tree: she alone replaces an entire pharmacy. For medicinal purposes, not only its buds and young shoots, which are harvested in the spring, are used, but also larch resin, from which "Venetian" turpentine is obtained, containing up to 16% turpentine, used in chronic diseases respiratory organs and urolithiasis. The bark of this tree is used for hernia and poisoning, and the needles, which can be collected throughout the summer, are consumed fresh as a therapeutic vitamin remedy.

FEATURES OF CULTIVATION, SOIL, LANDING RULES
Larch is very photophilous, frost-resistant and resistant to urban conditions, but suffers from summer drought, therefore, in hot weather, watering is carried out at 15-20 liters for each tree 1-2 times a week. At a young age, the tree tolerates a haircut quite well.
Loosening is carried out only under young plantings, 20 cm deep, and weeds must be removed.
In early spring, before the shoots begin to grow, Kemira-universal fertilizer is applied at the rate of 100-120 g / m2. For the winter period, only young plants are covered, and for the first 1-2 years after planting, Japanese larch trees are covered with “Pegasus” from spring frosts.
It is undemanding to soils, but prefers well-drained podzolic and sod-podzolic soils. Does not tolerate stagnant moisture and drought, does not grow well on the sands.
Planting larch in a permanent place should be as early as possible. This is best done when she reaches the age of six. In general, up to the age of 20, larch easily tolerate transplantation. At an earlier age, the plant is planted in a soft container, and at an older age, it must be in a hard container or with a frozen lump.
For planting, it is better to choose early spring before bud break or autumn after leaf fall. The place intended for this tree should be bright, open and spacious, because larch prefers to grow in free and sunny areas.
Landing pits must be prepared in advance. If soils are heavy, gravel or broken brick layer 20 cm. soil mix consists of leafy earth, peat and sand (3:2:1).
Plants are planted at a depth of at least 70-80 cm. The distance between the trees is 2-4 m. On the young thin roots of the plant there is mycorrhiza, which is important not to damage during planting.
After planting, it is necessary to mulch with peat or sawdust with a layer of 5-6 cm.

BREEDING
The larch is propagated by seeds. Grafting is advisable only for the reproduction of especially valuable species and decorative forms.
In youth, the tree grows quite quickly: in the first three years, the growth is more than 1 m, then up to 30-40 pets it grows by 1 m annually.

DISEASES AND PESTS
The main pests of larch are: silkworms - pests of coniferous tree species in Siberia, the Far East. Wings are grey. They feed on needles, buds, young cones.
Larch sawflies lay their eggs in groups on the surface of needles. Sawfly larvae live openly and outwardly resemble butterfly caterpillars, differing from them a large number false abdominal legs (6-8 pairs). Sawfly larvae live in groups, each of which collectively builds a protective web nest;
Also, larch is significantly harmed by: larch leafworm, larch case-bearer, larch flies, cone worm and larch moth.
Control measures: in case of damage to the plant by insect pests, the damaged shoots should be removed, and the tree should be treated with a solution of any insecticidal preparation made on the basis of mineral oils.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Due to its decorative qualities, as well as frost resistance and unpretentiousness, larch is widely used in landscape gardening and landscaping of household plots. It looks good in single, group and avenue plantings, in pure and mixed groups. Mixed groups from various kinds larch, because the color scheme of its needles in spring and summer includes all shades of green: from pale green to gray and gray-green.

Larch in the photo

Larch is a monoecious coniferous plant of the pine family. Unlike other conifers, larch sheds its needles annually, at the same time as hardwoods. Larch is common in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, America) in cold, temperate and partially subtropical zones.

Look at the photo - the larch tree at a young age has a pyramidal crown, and then, as it ages, it becomes rounded:

Larch
Larch

Branching - not characteristic of conifers, presents an indistinct whorl, rather a spiral arrangement of needles and branches.

Branches of two types - elongated vegetative and shortened generative. On the same tree are both female and male flowers. Shortened, fruit twigs differ from elongated and needles. The needles sit on them in 20-60 pieces, and on the growth ones one by one and in a spiral. The needles are small, flattened.

Shortened shoots die off after 10-12 years, but, depending on the conditions, they may not die off, but grow into growth shoots.

A larch tree deserves a special description during fruiting, when spherical spikelets of different sizes appear on one shoot - male and female. What does larch look like in this picturesque period? Male balls are yellowish and sit on very short shoots. The female cones are larger than the male ones. They also appear on shortened shoots and simultaneously with male ones. At the base they are surrounded by rare needles. Flowering occurs in early spring, at the same time as the buds open.

Cones ripen in autumn in the year of flowering. After the seeds have spilled out, they can hang on the tree for another 2-4 years. Seeds are light, round, with wings. They are often empty, unfertilized, which affects their low germination.

These photos show what larch looks like in winter and summer:

larch in summer

Larch
Larch

Larch is a very original tree and, despite the fact that it is deciduous, retains its decorative effect throughout the year.

larch in spring

In spring, the crown is decorated with golden, mimosa-like balls, male cones and greenish-yellow, pink or purple-purple female needles with a tuft at the base. They give appearance larch great beauty and grace.

As the massive growth of needles decorative tree the larch is turning green, the crown is becoming lush and luxurious.

larch in summer

In summer, the crown, for all its foliage, remains openwork, airy due to different type escapes.

Shortened shoots form needles in bunches, and elongated shoots form single needles. Not without reason, due to this quality, larch forests are called light coniferous.

As you can see in the photo, decorative larch is unusually beautiful in autumn. Its crown turns yellow with various shades - from lemon-golden to copper.

The needles fall off gradually in autumn. Unlike spruce fall, it does not acidify the soil, but, on the contrary, enriches it with calcium. Therefore, larch is considered a soil-improving breed.

The winter appearance of larch is only at first glance unattractive.

But take a closer look: the whole tree is, as it were, shrouded in a lacy haze, which is created by thin yellow twigs with small nodules such as warts and small, graceful bumps.

More than 20 species of larch are known, about 14 species grow in Russia, but the following six species are the most common.

Conditions for growing larch from seeds and tree care

When growing and caring for larch, it should be noted that this is a mycorrhizal tree. She needs a connection with mushrooms. For the formation of mycorrhiza, oily, boletus, porcini mushrooms are suitable. The tree successfully takes root if old mushrooms with ripe spores are dug into the trunk circle.

Due to the deep and powerful root system, which, depending on the conditions, can develop deep or wide, larch is an exceptionally unpretentious species. She is not afraid of rocky mountain slopes, permafrost and the proximity of groundwater.

One of the conditions for growing larch is to provide enough light. They grow very quickly, quite winter-hardy. Durable, live up to 700 years. But at a young age, larch loves nutritious, well-drained soil, does not tolerate both dryness and waterlogging of the soil and air.

Larch propagates mainly by seed. Cones are harvested at the end of autumn this year. They are stored in a warm dry place where they dry out, crack and release the seeds.

When growing larch from seeds, it should be borne in mind that their germination is low, so it is better to sow them before winter in boxes with light peat-sandy soil. Seedlings are grown in boxes for 1-2 years. In the spring expose to the sun and systematically watered. Seedlings are planted on the beds in the school. In school, they grow faster and reach a height of 1.5 m by the age of 4-5 years.

Larch does not tolerate shading at all. Trees are planted in a permanent place at the age of 5-6 years. The first year requires regular watering.

Any kind of larch will decorate your garden, country and household plot. It will become your family tree, as it is unlikely to yield to others in terms of durability and decorativeness. It is better to plant larch alone, it is attractive as a tapeworm. In summer cottages of a large area, these trees can be used to create backstage (groves).

Larch looks good against the background of evergreen firs, firs, pines. Its advantage is that it easily tolerates pruning in the fall, after the needles have fallen off, or in the spring before the buds swell.

Here you can find photos and descriptions of larch tree species that are popular in the middle lane.

European larch in the photo

European larch, or falling,- the largest and fastest growing larch. The height of the tree is 18-20 m. It blooms in April. Cones ripen in September, and open only in the early spring of the following year. Seed germination 50%. Fruiting occurs from 25-30 years. Propagated by seeds, they germinate in 1.5-2 months. The species is very picky about both soil and air moisture, because it is considered a strong water evaporator. Winter-hardy and photophilous. It is unpretentious to soils. It can develop both a rod deep and superficial root system.

Siberian larch in the photo

Siberian larch- the most common species in central Russia and Siberia. Tree in nature up to 40 m in height and 1.7 m in diameter, with a rounded crown. It is especially picturesque in spring with its yellow-mustard shoots and multi-colored flower buds-knobs - yellow, red, burgundy.

Pay attention to the photo - this type of larch has a thick, reddish-brown, heavily fissured bark on old trunks:

larch bark
larch bark

Such a bark is not afraid of frost cracks, early spring burns and stem pests. The needles are bright green with a bluish bloom. It is quite long - up to 30-35 mm. Blooms in April 8-10 days. Mature cones are brown, up to 4 cm long, ripen in late August - September. The cones dry for 2-3 months, and only then the seeds fall out of them.

Fruiting is annual, but the yield is periodic, after 3-7 years. Seed germination is only 10-30% and lasts 2-3 years. Before sowing, the seeds must be soaked for a day and sown in boxes. The temperature of seed germination is optimal +27°C, minimum - +7...+8°C. Seedlings with 6-7 cotyledons, single needles, spirally arranged.

There are a lot of tannins in the bark, in needles - essential oils, vitamin C and trace elements - manganese, magnesium, as well as sodium, potassium. The seeds are rich in fatty oils, containing up to 10%.

Sukachev larch- a close view to the Siberian. She has larger cones (3-5 cm long). Seed scales are thick, strong and also larger. Disclosure of cones occurs in the second half of winter of the year following flowering. In all varieties of this type of larch, the seeds are quite large (4-7 mm in length), light brown with white speckles. There are many empty seeds, usually no more than 18% sprout.

Dahurian larch- the shortest of the larches. Its branches are widely spread and multi-top is often observed, which makes it look like a giant ornamental shrub. Red deep furrowed bark, yellow shiny buds and bright green light needles - that's distinctive features of this kind.

Picturesque in color and female cones. They ripen in September and at the same time the seeds are poured out. Seed germination is 60%, which is a record for larches.
This larch is also distinguished by the plasticity of the root system. It can even grow swampy soil, forming a superficial root system.

Daurian larch- the most unpretentious and also easily propagated not only by seeds, but also by layering.

Kaempfer larch used in garden design. This tree has bluish-green needles. Numerous decorative dwarf forms are suitable for bonsai.

Tamarack- This is a tree 25 m tall with a narrow crown, which becomes broadly conical with age. Needles appear in spring later than those of European and Dahurian larches. Its color is light green in summer and yellow in autumn. It is highly decorative, as it retains its beautiful outfit longer than other types of larch. AT adulthood it is distinguished by the tortuosity of the shoots, which give it a special appeal.

It is considered the most photophilous and slow-growing breed among other types of larch. Winter-hardy. Propagated by seeds. It is recommended to plant in groups, arrays.

Its most common decorative forms:

"Aurea" - needles on the shoots are golden yellow,

light green in summer and "Glauka" - blue-gray needles.

Here you can see photos of varieties of this type of larch:

Larch- this is a tree 30-35 m high and with a trunk diameter of up to 100 cm. Young shoots at the beginning of winter are light brownish-yellow with a bluish bloom, densely pubescent or almost bare; biennial - reddish-brown. The bark on the trunks is relatively thin, longitudinally fissured.

Buds are cone-shaped, brown.

Larch needles in the photo

The needles are blunt, 15 to 50 mm long, gray or bluish-green. Inflorescences are yellowish and reddish green.

Cones rounded oval, 20-35 mm long, consist of 45-50 (rarely 70) scales arranged in five to six rows.

Seed scales thin, brittle, reddish-light brown; covering scales are half as long as seed scales, ovate or lanceolate-acuminate, brown-red. Seeds 3-4 mm long, with a shiny brown wing.
This type of larch differs from others in slightly spiraling branches and reddish-brown fissured bark. For the year gives an increase of 25 cm in height and 10-15 cm in width. Fruiting begins at the 15-20th year of life.

There are a number of decorative forms: