Several species of larch have been planted in Iowa, mostly for farmstead
protection. The larch is not a true evergreen since it is one of the
few conifers whichlose their leaves in winter. It is a tall tree with
a straight, central trunkand many spreading branches. It grows 40 to 80 feet
tall.The leaves are needle like, but are flat, soft, slender, 3/4 to1-1/4 inches long and borne in clusters on spur like branches. In the spring the needles are bright green and very soft and flexible. In the fall they turn a dull yellow just before falling off.
The cone is small and nearly spherical, 1/2 to 3/4 inches long. The young
cones are reddish to green in color, turning brown as they mature often remaining
on the tree for several years. As they mature and open in the fall, they liberate
small, winged seeds.
The twigs are light brown to gray in color, and covered with numerous
tiny spurs or short branches. The rough bark separates on the surface into
thin, reddish brown scales.
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