VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Larix decidua | European Larch 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
European larch wood is durable and strong [3], of moderately high
density, with excellent toughness and stiffness.  It is used for pulp
[2], framing timber, roof tiles, flooring, and log houses.  It is
suitable for veneer and other decorative purposes [14].  Larch (Larix
spp.) wood is resistant to rot, and is therefore valuable for posts,
poles, railroad ties, mine props, wharves, and pilings [3,17].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
NO-ENTRY


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
European larch is listed by Vogel [21] with other species that are of
"limited importance or use" for revegetation of surface mine
disturbances.  It is primarily used for this purpose in Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, and Ohio.  It is recommended for rehabilitation of sites
at higher elevations in the northern Appalachians [21].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
European larch is planted as an ornamental and in shelterbelts [15].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
European larch has been used in the eastern United States for
reforestation [7].

Silvicultural systems:  Group selection is successful with European
larch, providing that advance regeneration has not been suppressed for
very long; suppressed seedlings do not respond well to release [13].
Planting in mixtures with more tolerant species works well if the stands
are thinned to allow European larch to maintain a dominant crown
position; it does not usually suppress its more tolerant neighbors [25].
European larch planted on slopes are susceptible to stem bending ("saber
growth form") and breakage from snow [13].

European larch grows rapidly and produces heavy litter which forms a
thick, tightly packed mat.  In Wisconsin, 10-year-old European larch
plantantions produced twice as much litter by weight as 10-year-old red
pine (Pinus resinosa) [18].

Insects and disease:  European larch seeds are vulnerable to seed
weevils [17], adult trees on moist sites are vulneralbe to larch canker
[25].  European larch is host to a number of insect species, none of
which have been of economic importance [25].

Related categories for Species: Larix decidua | European Larch