Larix laricina (Du Roi) K.Koch

Common Name and General Growth Habitat

Larix laricina, commonly called tamarack, is a small to medium-sized boreal deciduous conifer that most commonly grows in lowland wetland areas including swamps, fens, and bogs.

Mature Tree Size

Mature specimens reach 15–23 m (49–75 ft) in height, with trunks up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter.

Bark Characteristics

Mature trees have reddish bark, while younger trees have smooth, gray bark.

Leaf Structure

Its light blue-green needle-like leaves grow 2.5 cm (1 in) long, forming clusters of 10–20 on long woody spur shoots.

Autumn Leaf Phenology

Before shedding in autumn, the leaves turn bright yellow, leaving shoots bare until the following spring.

Cone Size

Tamarack produces the smallest cones of any larch, which measure only 1–2.3 cm (3⁄8–7⁄8 in) long and hold 12–25 seed scales.

Cone Development and Seed Release

The cones start bright red, then turn brown before opening to release seeds once mature, 4 to 6 months after pollination.

Cold Tolerance and Northern Range

Tamarack is extremely cold tolerant, able to survive temperatures as low as at least −62 °C (−80 °F), and commonly grows at the Arctic tree line along the edge of the tundra.

Northern Growth Form Size

Trees growing in these harsh northern climate conditions are smaller than those growing farther south, often reaching only 3 m (10 ft) tall.

Preferred Wetland Soil Habitats

While tamarack can tolerate a very wide range of soil conditions, it grows most commonly in swamps, bogs, or muskegs in wet to moist organic soils such as sphagnum, peat, and woody peat.

Mineral Soil Tolerance

It also grows on mineral soils ranging from heavy clay to coarse sand, so soil texture does not appear to limit its growth.

Calcareous Soil Response

Though tamarack can grow well on calcareous soils, it is not abundant in the limestone areas of eastern Ontario.

Bog Colonization Role

Tamarack is typically the first forest tree to colonize filled-lake bogs.

Great Lakes Bog Establishment Patterns

In the North American Great Lakes region, tamarack may establish first in sedge mats or sphagnum moss, or may not appear until the bog shrub stage.

Northern Bog Pioneer Status

Further north, it acts as the pioneer tree in the bog shrub stage.

Post-Fire Pioneer Status

It is fairly well adapted to reproduce successfully after wildfires, so it is one of the most common pioneer species on boreal forest sites immediately following fire.

Taxonomic Variety Dispute

A central Alaskan population of tamarack, separated from eastern Yukon populations by a gap of roughly 700 kilometres (430 mi), is classified as the distinct variety Larix laricina var. alaskensis by some botanists, while other botanists argue that the population is not distinct enough to warrant separate variety status.

Wood Physical Properties

Tamarack wood is tough, durable, and remains flexible when cut into thin strips.

Traditional Algonquian Wood Use

Algonquian peoples historically used this wood to make snowshoes and other products that require toughness.

Boat Construction Wood Use

Naturally curved sections from tamarack stumps and roots are also favored for creating the angled knee joints used in wooden boat construction.

Modern Commercial Wood Uses

Today, tamarack wood is used mainly for pulpwood, and also for posts, poles, rough lumber, and fuelwood; it is not considered a major commercial timber species.

Horse Stable Wood Use

Tamarack wood is also used as kickboards in horse stables.

Historical Log Home Use

19th-century older log homes often incorporated tamarack logs alongside other species such as red oak or white oak.

Hewn Log Texture

Hewn tamarack logs have a coarse, grainy surface texture.

Ornamental Cultivation

Tamarack is also cultivated as an ornamental tree for gardens in cold regions.

Dwarf Cultivar and Bonsai Use

Several dwarf cultivars have been developed and are sold commercially, and tamarack is commonly used for bonsai.

Corduroy Road Construction Use

Tamarack poles were used to build corduroy roads because of the wood's natural rot resistance.

Historical Alberta Survey Post Use

Before 1917, surveyors in Alberta used tamarack posts to mark the northeast corner of surveyed sections within townships; the rot-resistant wood was readily available in local bush areas at the time, and was light to carry.

Early Water System Use

This same rot resistance made tamarack a common choice for early water distribution systems.

Inner Bark Medicinal Use

Aboriginal peoples of Canada's northwest regions used the tree's inner bark as a poultice to treat cuts, infected wounds, frostbite, boils, and hemorrhoids.

Bark and Root Medicinal Use

The outer bark and roots are reported to have been combined with another plant to treat arthritis, colds, and general aches and pains.

Wildlife Use Overview

Many types of wildlife use tamarack for food and nesting.

Mammal Food Sources

Porcupines eat the inner bark, snowshoe hares feed on tamarack seedlings, and red squirrels eat the tree's seeds.

Summer Associated Bird Species

Birds that frequently visit tamarack trees during the summer include the white-throated sparrow, song sparrow, veery, common yellowthroat, and Nashville warbler.