Japanese Larch

Larix kaempferi

Pinaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated May 27, 2026

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

70–90 ft

Spread

26 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Size at 20 yr

20 ft

Lifespan

Long-lived

Site Requirements

Light

Full Sun

Soil Drainage

Well Drained

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 4a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Fall Color

Yellow

Origin

Japan

Wood DecayHigh

Wound Infection Window

Diseases: Regionally Documented (5)

Arceuthobium spp. (parasitic plant) Dwarf Mistletoe Sirococcus conigenus, S Needle Blight Rhabdocline spp. including R Needle Cast Abiotic or environmental stress Needle Drop Multiple Basidiomycete fungi cause wood decay in trees Wood Decay

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (8 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Needle emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	Bright green needle tufts emerging on spur shoots
Pollen release BBCH 61	Mar 15-May 15	Male strobili (red) visible and shedding pollen; female strobili developing
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 31	Male strobili dried and mostly shed; pollen dispersal complete
Cone development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Small upright cones enlarging on branch tips
Cone maturity and seed shed BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Cone scales open; winged seeds dispersing; cones becoming brown
Needle senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Needles turning golden-yellow; fall color at peak
Needle drop complete BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Tree fully deciduous; all needles dropped; bare branches visible

Cultivars (2)

'Diana'

Common name: Diana Japanese Larch; Mature height: 20 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Jacobsens Pyramid'

Common name: Jacobsen's Pyramid Japanese Larch; Mature height: 12 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.