Western Larch

Western larch is a deciduous conifer that towers to 230 feet with an open, pyramidal form and horizontal branches that shed every needle each autumn. You encounter this tree in the Eastern Cascades and Northern Rocky Mountains, where it outgrows every other conifer for the first century, using shade intolerance as its strategy to survive. The needles turn brilliant golden yellow before dropping; the reddish-brown scaly bark thickens with age into a fortress against wildfire.

Western larch demands full sun, well-drained soil, and low to moderate water once established. The Puget Sound lowlands are generally too moist and warm; this tree belongs in the rain shadow east of the Cascades. Plant on dry sites with good air drainage and avoid waterlogged soils. Fire-resistant bark and thick wood are advantages; however, limited pest and disease issues make it relatively low-maintenance where climate suits. Success in maritime gardens depends on selecting drier microsites and excellent drainage.