Western Larch

Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) is a deciduous conifer native to the interior mountain ranges of the northwestern United States and adjacent British Columbia, growing at elevations from valley floors to timberline. It is one of the largest larches, capable of reaching 230 feet in the wild, with a fast growth rate and an erect habit featuring horizontal branches. The reddish-brown bark becomes thick and deeply furrowed with age, providing exceptional fire resistance. Fine-textured, yellow-green needles turn bright yellow before dropping in autumn.

Western larch demands full sun and well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0; it has low tolerance for calcium carbonate. Water needs are low once established. The dwarf cultivar 'Bollinger' (Zone 3) offers a shrub form for garden use. Documented diseases include dwarf mistletoe, needle blight, needle cast, needle drop, and wood decay. The species is valued for its lumber, fire resistance, and striking fall color among an otherwise evergreen conifer landscape. Hardy in Zones 4a to 8b.