In the wild, Larix decidua , the European larch, can reach 30 to 40 meters in height. Also called Common Larch, it belongs to the Pinaceae Family. It is one of the few conifers that become bare in winter.
While other species have more important requirements, larch is a pioneer species which grows on poor soils that it helps enrich . This is why EcoTree plants European larches in the poor soils of some forests. Its good wind resistance makes it an ideal tree in windy regions such as Brittany and Limousin.
This pioneer species to grows on soil poor that enriches . Its largest natural formations are located in Central Europe. In the Alps, it grows between 1400 and 2400 meters.
In its natural state, on the adret (sunny side), it is found below 1400 meters in the company of Scots pine , and on the ubac it accompanies stone pine and spruce above 2000 meters. It is still found in the company of rowan or country maple.
This mountain species was however planted in the plains to take advantage of its wood and its ability to enrich poor soils. This tree is very resistant to cold and can be acclimatized to a high rainfall, as well as a lesser. However, it does not support compact and hydromorphic soils which facilitate its infestation by larch canker. It does not support summer droughts quite well, but tolerates very high temperature variations, up to 50 ° in the same day, in its natural mountain range.
Its deep and highly developed root system fixes it firmly to the ground. It therefore needs deep soil to be able to settle there completely.
It thus has exceptional wind resistance, so much so that windfall is very rarely deplored in larch trees.
This tree is sometimes called the oak of the mountain, because of the exceptional wood it produces. The fruit of slow growth, it is the most durable and solid of the coniferous woods.
Rot-proof, it is used for the design of boats, for frames, roof shingles, railway ties.
Larch also has good medicinal properties thanks to its needles. The manna of Briançon, fruit of the seepage of the larch needle, is used to increase the white blood cells, and the resin of the tree, the turpentine of Venice, has an antiseptic power.
Whatever the season, larch is an elegant tree. It symbolizes maternal love, because it very often offers food and shelter to squirrels, and birds often shelter there. Because of its impermeable bark, the - owl appreciates it to house.
The European larch is therefore the original gift for Mother's Day : a gift that embellishes every year! Here is an original and ecological Mother's Day gift idea.
What if, this year, you gave him a bouquet of trees in a beautiful forest?
