How to Plant and Grow Larch

If you love evergreen trees but also appreciate colorful fall foliage, consider the larch. This tree looks like pine or spruce in spring and summer with its tall form, short green needles, and small cones. But in autumn, the soft, feathery needles turn bright golden yellow and then fall off to reveal the tree's architectural branching pattern.

Most larch trees are tall, 50 to 80 feet, with widespread canopies. Don't fret if you need to work within a residential landscape, because there are smaller cultivars, some forming contorted branches or weeping to the ground.

Where to Plant a Larch Tree

Larch needs a location in full sun with moist but well-draining soil that can be acidic to neutral.

Most larches are massive, fast-growing trees, so consider the mature size of a species before adding it to a residential landscape. They are more suitable for open landscapes, such as parks, which provide room to grow. If you have the space, this tree is particularly striking when planted in groups of three. Closely planted specimens eventually grow together, which makes their fall needle drop quite dramatic. Larches can also be grown in rows as windbreaks.

How and When to Plant Larch

The ideal time to plant a larch tree is in the early spring so it has the entire growing season to get established. Nurseries sell larch as bare root or potted plants. Bare root plants should be planted as soon as they arrive. Follow the instructions for planting a bare root tree. 

To plant a potted tree, dig a hole that is twice as large as the diameter of the root ball. Place the tree in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with the original soil and tamp it down. Water the newly planted tree well until the base around it is soaked. Continue watering the tree regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.

The spacing of the trees depends on the variety and the landscaping purpose. European larches, grown as windbreaks, are planted at least 20 feet apart in rows. 

Larch Care Tips

Growing a larch is easy as long as you don't live in a warm climate with hot summers.

Light

Plant the tree in a spot where it will get at least six hours of sun a day.

Soil and Water

Larch trees prefer moist or boggy soil with a pH between 5.0 and 7.4. They don’t do well in soil with a high pH. If the planting location is naturally dry, water the tree often to keep the soil moist. Adding a layer of organic mulch helps to retain soil moisture. 

Temperature and Humidity

Larch thrives in areas with cool summers and cold winters down to Zone 2. If your climate is hot and humid, your location is not suitable for planting a larch. 

Fertilizer

Planting a larch tree in soil that is rich in organic matter usually takes care of the fertilization—there is no need to ever add fertilizer. If fertilized in the first two years, a newly planted tree can suffer from fertilizer burn. Scattering a thin layer of compost around the tree every spring is optional.

Pruning 

Except to remove dead or damaged branches promply when you notice them, it is usually not necessary to prune larch. Pruning to shape the tree or control its size should be done in the winter during dormancy.

Pests and Problems 

Larch can get infected by two serious fungal diseases, needle blight and needle cast, which can both defoliate the tree. Raking and disposing of fallen needles is important to prevent the disease from spreading.

Serious pests include larch casebearer, a tiny insect that mines the needles, and larch sawfly. Like with all pests, make sure to identify the pest before treating it with pesticides.

In addition to pests and diseases, larch trees are sensitive to air pollution, which can cause discoloring in the needles and stunted growth.

How to Propagate Larch

Larch is propagated from seed and stem cuttings but both processes are lengthy and hit-and-miss and are therefore better left to nursery professionals.

Types of Larch

European Larch

Larix decidua, the European larch, is a stately tree that grows to 100 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It puts on an amazing autumn show when the needles turn bright gold. Zones 2-6

Tamarack

Larix laricina is a large tree native to North America. It features bright green needles that turn gold in autumn. It grows 75 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Zones 2-5

'Varied Directions' Larch

Larix x marschlinsii 'Varied Directions' is a hybrid and a unique plant that develops into a spreading shrub or small tree. The branches grow in irregular patterns giving the plant a distinctive shape and turning golden yellow in the fall. It grows 12 feet tall and wide. Zones 2-6

Weeping Larch

The weeping larch (Larix decidua ‘Pendula’) forms an irregular, horizontal crown. Because its branches all hang down, it will only grow as tall as you support it. If not staked, it will cover the ground. It can eventually spread some 30 feet. Zones 3-6