Common names:  Japanese larch, Korean larch, Karamatsu 

Irish name:  N/a 

Latin name:  Larix kaempferi 

Family:  Pinaceae 

Origin:  Japan 

Tree type: Deciduous broadleaf tree

How it looks

How it looks 

Shape, bark, twigs 

A tall tree, 80–100 ft high with a 3–4 ft thick trunk and wide branches. Its bark peels, revealing pale grey-brown underneath. Young shoots are smooth to slightly fuzzy, reddish-brown in winter. 

Buds 

Japanese larch buds are small and distinctive. The terminal vegetative buds are cone-shaped, about 4–5 mm across. Lateral buds are more rounded, about 3 mm across. Both types are slightly sticky with resin and have dark reddish-brown scales. 

Leaves 

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) leaves are deciduous, turning bright yellow to orange in autumn before falling. They are typically 1 to 1¼ inches long and are arranged in clusters on older growth. The needles are flat and hairless on top, with a ridged underside featuring two white stomatal bands. 

Cones 

The cones are approximately 1 inch wide and 1 inch long. The cones have thin, rounded scales that are markedly curved back when ripe. 

Larix kaempferi reproduces through a coniferous cycle. The tree produces separate male and female cones, with pollination occurring in spring via wind. Female cones mature over 1–2 years, turning from green to brown, and release seeds in late summer to early autumn. Old cones remain on the tree for years. 

Where to find it

Japanese larch is native to the central island of Honshu, specifically from Kaga Province in the west to Shimotsuke Province in the northeast. In Europe, the tree is planted in Britain, Ireland, and other parts of Europe for forestry purposes. It grows well in clay, loam, and sand. 

Cultural importance

History | Myth,Legend and Folklore | Arts and Literature

History 

Japanese larch has played an important role in Japanese culture for centuries. It was, and continues to be, valued for its use in house construction, furniture making, as well as paper and charcoal production. Moving into the 20th century, Japanese larch became a popular forestry tree in Japan. 

The scientific name for Japanese larch, Larix kaempferi, honours the German botanist Engelbert Kaempfer who, through his travels and studies in Japan during the 17th century, brought knowledge of Japanese trees and plants to the wider world. However, the Japanese larch was first introduced to England by the nurseryman John Gold Veitch in 1860, and from there made its way to Ireland. 

Japanese larch was a popular ornamental tree and, as a result, can be found in parks and gardens throughout Europe, including Ireland. However, it is perhaps better known as a forestry tree in Ireland, where it has been planted extensively. As a result, it has been considered one of the most important commercial tree species in Irish forestry, not only for its timber but also for its aesthetic appeal, as its leaves change colour dramatically from season to season. Unfortunately, due to a large-scale outbreak of the fungal pathogen Phytophthora ramorum among Japanese larch trees in 2010, the planting of this species is no longer being supported financially. Instead, they are being replaced with alternative plantation trees such as western red cedar, grand fir, western hemlock, Norway spruce, European silver fir, noble fir, and Douglas fir. 

Myth, Legend and Folklore 

Due to its ability to live to a great age, Japanese larch is a symbol of resilience and longevity. Simultaneously, because of the dramatic change in the colour of its needles from season to season, it also represents the seasonal cycle, the passing of time, and hence the quality of impermanence. 

Arts and Literature 

The Japanese larch features frequently in Japanese nature paintings and poetry of the Edo period (1603–1867 AD), including the painting Night Rain at the Japanese Larch, painted by Isoda Koryūsai (磯田 湖龍齋) between 1773 and 1775, which depicts Japanese cranes in front of the tree. 

Value to Wildlife

Japanese larch creates habitat and food for various wildlife species, including insects and birds. 

Threats

Japanese larch creates habitat and food for various wildlife species, including insects and birds. 

Uses

Larix decidua continues to be popular for construction, furniture making, and as an ornamental tree.