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Larix laricina (Du Roi) K.Koch Mélèze
Tamarack is best identified by its light green, needle like
foliage found in clusters of 10 to 20. It is the only softwood that
drops all its needles each fall.
Tamarack prefers to grow in cool, moist areas such as bogs and swamps,
but will grow on well drained sites.
Low
High
1
Acid to Neutral
Wide Range favouring organic
High
Low
Pleasant golden
coloured needles that drop in the fall.
Small to medium sized tree
with thin wide spreading crown.
Distinctive bundles
of soft, delicate needles
23m100-180 yrs
Tamarack has a moderate to fast growth rate and is especially suited
to plantings on moist to wet sites. It is sometimes available at
nurseries.
This tree has a fibrous
root system and is well suited for stabilizing embankments and poorly
drained areas.
It is suited to be
planted as a minor component within a windbreak.
The buds, needles and seeds are eaten by spruce and ruffed grouse.
Seeds are also a favourite food of the purple finch, red crossbill
and white-winged crossbill. Porcupines also eat the bark of Tamarack.
Tamarack wood is very durable and used for boatbuilding. The lower
part of the trunks and large right angled roots that were naturally
curved were in great demand. These curved pieces or "knees"
were utilized for ribs and keels in dories and schooners.
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Uses
and Lore