[a.k.a. American Larch, Eastern Larch]
[Larix laricina, Larix americana]
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In the spring, Larix laricina plug seedlings green up at about the same rate as leafy deciduous trees, and can reach a mature height of 65 feet. If shipped around mid-Oct or later, this species will sport either rich, golden yellow needles, just a few golden or tan needles, or no needles at all. By mid to late Spring they will break bud and begin sprouting new green needles, thus returning to their rich and fully green appearance.
Tamarack are quite hardy, so even if new Spring growth is damaged by a late frost, the trees will just shrug and start over. It is unlikely that they would die from frost. We’ve inspected Tamarack which at first glance looked dead, but if you start bending the trunk near the top and it snaps off, just move farther down the trunk and bend again, eventually you may find where the trunk is still green and does not snap. A new leader will start somewhere in that lower, living part of the trunk.
Express Checkout:
5-pack of Tamarack Larch plug seedlings >> $33.00
10-pack of Tamarack Larch plug seedlings >> $47.00
25-pack of Tamarack Larch plug seedlings >> $83.00
50-pack of Tamarack Larch plug seedlings >> $139.00
100-pack of Tamarack Larch plug seedlings >> $199.00
To order multiple items, please scroll farther down this page and use the big green ecommerce buttons instead, or read these instructions. Limit 500 trees per customer. All prices include shipping and a one year guarantee
Tamaracks branch quite readily, so if the main trunk experiences die-off due to winterburn or other damage, a branch will quickly step in as the new trunk. If you see multiple trunks developing after planting, trim the less desirable one[s] to only half of its original length, resulting in those trimmed ones becoming branches. The tallest, untrimmed branch will take over as the trunk.
Other unique features of Larix laricina include its ability to handle extremely cold winter temperatures, growing all the way up to the Arctic tundra. Another is its ability to grow in low, swampy soils near streams and ponds [they like to have “wet feet”], so an ideal planting location is where the mud tries to suck your boots off. We grow them literally in puddles of water. When shipped they have rather short roots [4-6 inches] and cannot reach very far enough down to get the water they really need. Therefore a good rule of thumb is that one cannot overwater a Tamarack and should water them A LOT, because in a typical yard environment they need to have deep well-established roots or they may struggle in the first summer.
Plant In Record Time:
You can plant evergreen plug seedlings faster and with less effort than any traditional "bare root" evergreen seedling or transplant, upwards of 50 to 100 per hour without breaking your back, using a cordless drill and this garden auger. Click the thumbnail to watch on YouTube. This steel garden auger is FREE with purchase of 200 or more plug seedlings, or just $17.00 [our cost] with any tree purchase, or $37.00 with no tree purchase, shipped anywhere in the USA [int'l shipping is extra].Individual Packaging Options:
Plug seedlings are grouped in bundles or bags for shipping, but we offer individual plastic packaging, eco-friendly packaging, and cotton gift bag packaging for all sizes of plug seedlings, sold separately in matching quantities. These individual packaging services are available for plug seedlings only.
The seed-bearing pine cones of the Tamarack Larch turn from bright red to brown as they prepare to release their seeds. The wood is flexible and very rot resistant, making it a great choice for making snowshoes [back when people actually needed snowshoes]. Today Larix laricina is often used for ornamental purposes, and is also a favorite for bonsai. The word Tamarack is of Native American origin.
Although Eastern Larch Beetles are known to attack Tamarack Larch, the beetles prefer already weakened or dying trees. Healthy Tamaracks are generally left alone by pests.
Tamarack Larch plug seedlings: characteristics and info
• prefers hardiness zones 2-6
• prefers full sun
• mature height and spread: up to 60 ft high, 25 ft spread
• prefers swampy soils, wetlands, river banks, low areas around ponds and streams
• American Conifer Society info on Larix laricina
• Tamarack Larch Sizes and Availability:
--- Tamarack Larch plug seedlings [FOR SALE]
• Comparable alternative species: Bald Cypress [also deciduous, loves swampy wet soils], White Cedar [OK in wet soils]. Confused about species? Check out our Evergreen Tree Buyers Guide
A Tamarack story from one of our customers:
“About 1961, my brother Jerry and I took the 1938 Chevy 1 1/2 ton farm truck to the west of Chippewa Lake [Michigan] to fell some Tamaracks on a neighbor’s property. He had a nice stand of Tamarack just west of Chippewa Lake. Because the species is so straight, with minimal dia reduction over its length, our intent was to use the trees as roof rafters in a cow barn we were building on the family farm that fall.
The following spring, the overhead tamarack rafters in the new cow barn sprouted twigs…and with leaves! They all withered and died off over the hot summer, but for the next two springs, the fine leaves AGAIN sprouted from those overhead rafters. I was very impressed with the life within this wood.
The older structure being replaced also had tamarack overhead rafters, and tamarack on all internal beams. Those beams were rock hard, and very strong. Some still had the bark, and a lot of it had insect tracks underneath, giving the wood a multi-grooved surface. However, the wood seemed to be as strong as oak.”
[submitted by James S., originally from MI but now transplanted to PA]