Management
European larch is a light-demanding, often pioneer species with rapid early growth. It is one of the fastest growing of all trees and requires ample light and space to grow well, and soils which are of moderate fertility and freely draining. The tree roots deeply, so it does not tolerate shallow soils or very dry, waterlogged, compacted or nutrient poor soils.
It is wind-firm but suffers from exposure and, because it flushes early, can be very susceptible to damage by spring frosts. It only casts a light shade, so it can be used as a nurse for both broadleaves and conifers.
Seed can be sown mid- to late March and does not require any pretreatment unless it has become dormant. Most European larch trees in the UK are grown from seed sourced from high alpine regions and can be more susceptible to canker. Seed collected from registered UK stands or provenances from the Czech republic (Sudetes region) and Slovakia are preferred, as these are known to do well in the UK and are less vulnerable to canker.
Larch canker (Lachnellula willkommii) is one of the most harmful diseases of larch. It is a fungal disease which may be associated with frost damage.
European larch can also be affected by Heterobasidion (Fomes root and butt rot), another butt rot fungus, Phaeolus schweinitzii, and the needle cast fungus Meria laricis.
Very recently, larch has been found to be susceptible to the introduced pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, which is causing widespread mortality to Japanese larch in western parts of Britain and continues to spread.
Susceptibility of European larch to P. ramorum is uncertain at present. Visit Forest Research for the latest information.
In northern parts of the UK larch species have been killed following attacks by the larch bark beetle (Ips cembrae).
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