Japanese Larch

Japanese Larch - Larix kaempferi

Description

Similar to European Larch (Larix decidua) but has pink to red young twigs with leaves 15 to 40 mm long. Cones ovoid, erect, to 3cm long, with out-curved scales. 

Similar Species

Larix decidua, and the hybrid between the two

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Cones with strongly recurved scales

Recording advice

Photo of cones and shoot; photo of whole tree

Habitat

This tree is planted mainly as a forestry crop, but is also found in parks and large gardens. It grows in open situations, but does not thrive in either dry or waterlogged sites. Regeneration from seed can be frequent.

When to see it

Flowers in March or April.

Life History

Deciduous conifer.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain with a northern and western bias.

VC55 Status

Thought to be locally fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. It was wrongly recorded as Larix decidua in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire so exact status in our area is hard to determine.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records