Larix lyallii

Common Names

Alpine Larch, Subalpine Larch, Tamarack, Mountain Larch, Lyall's Larch, Mélèze de Lyall

Summary

Alpine larch is a deciduous conifer native to western North America, occupying subalpine to timberline habitats in the northern Cascades and Rockies. It forms open, sparse crowns on rocky, well‑drained soils at elevations around 1,800–2,400 m, with bluish‑green needles in bundles of 30–40 that turn brilliant golden yellow in autumn and seed cones 2.5–4 cm long; bark is yellow‑gray to red‑brown and flaky, and branches are horizontal with a conical to irregular crown.

Cultivation favors open, airy, well‑drained soils in full sun; hardy to USDA zone 3 and tolerant of drought, wind, and snow, though late frosts can occur if growth begins early. It has very slow early growth and little commercial timber value, but provides wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and avalanche‑control research value; it can be grown as a landscape or container plant or bonsai subject in specialized settings. Propagation is by seed, sown at the end of winter after cold stratification, with seed viability up to 3 years.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

33-82 ft

Spread

56 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zone 3

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Acidic, well-drained, rocky or gravelly soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, rocky or gravelly soils; avoid waterlogging.

Soil pH

3.9-5.7, acidic

Bloom Color

Red when young; then purplish, then brown.

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green in summer; turns golden yellow in autumn.

Fall Foliage Color

Golden yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

1.2–1.5 cm/year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Layering (rare)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds