VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Larix lyallii | Alpine Larch 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Alpine larch wood has no potential commercial value [2,7].  No site
index or yield data have been developed for alpine larch stands.  Annual
yield capability has been estimated to be only 10 to 20 cubic feet per
acre (0.7-1.4 m3/ha) on sites having better than average productivity
[23].  Defect is very high, and no commercial timber harvesting has been
reported, or is likely [2].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Many timberline bird and mammal species are associated with alpine larch
communities.  Mountain goat, bighorn sheep, hoary marmot, pika, mule
deer, elk, black and grizzly bear, red squirrel, and snowshoe hare
are among the mammals that feed in alpine larch stands.  Blue grouse
feed heavily on the needles.  Two studies suggest that alpine larch
foliage may be one of the most important summer foods for blue grouse
[3].



PALATABILITY : 
Big mammals do not heavily browse alpine larch branches, twigs, or
foliage.  The primary consumers of needles are upland game birds such as
the blue grouse.


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Alpine larch provides concealment and thermal cover in an otherwise open
habitat.  Woodpeckers and other cavity nesters utilize the hollowed-out
portions of larger trees.  Larger mammals may utilize alpine larch
stands as windbreaks or burrows [3].  Grizzly bears often den in alpine
larch stands in Banff National Park [2].



VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Alpine larch contributes to watershed protection by stabilizing snow
loads on steep northern slopes, and thus reducing the threat of
avalanches.  Alpine larch is considered useful for high-elevation
reclamation projects [2].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Alpine larch communities are valued as wildlife habitat, and for outdoor
recreation and esthetics [2].  Photographers and hikers appreciate the
changing colors of alpine larch, which is a translucent bright green in
summer, and lemon yellow and gold in fall.  Dendrochronologists have
found alpine larch to be an excellent indicator of climatic variability
[8].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Alpine larch is generally not placed under active management.  Disease
or insects cause little damage to this tree.  Occasionally, damage may
occur by an unidentified fly larvae (Diptera), which destroyed a heavy
seed crop in north-central Washington [3].  It is suspected that the
larch case bearer (Coleophora laricella) will eventually spread from
lower western larch stands to alpine larch stands [3].  Brown heart rot
caused by Quinine fungus (Fomes officinales) is often found in alpine
larch, but not often enough to be considered prevalent.  Needle blight
(Sarcotrochila alpina) and cast fungi (Hypodermella laricis) severely
infected many stands of alpine larch in British Columbia.  The most
common fungus infecting alpine larch is an unidentified canker, similar
to the European larch canker (Dasyscypha willkommii).  This fungus
creates noticeable swellings in young and mature twigs.  These fungi
weaken but usually do not kill the tree [3].

Related categories for Species: Larix lyallii | Alpine Larch