Tamarack (Larix laricina)
Tamarack, also known as Larch, is a distinctive and beloved species of conifer, noteworthy for its beautiful golden needles in the autumn.
Why they Matter to Us
Tamarack is a unique species of tree because it is a deciduous conifer - that means that it is a conifer (like a spruce or a pine,) but it is deciduous (like poplar or elm) and its needles change colour in the autumn and fall off.
The inner bark is used by Cree and Dene people as a poultice for different wounds such as burns, cuts, and boils, and decoctions made from the roots are used to treat arthritis, aches, and colds. The wood is often used to make tobaggans and snowshoes.
How You Can Help
Support protected areas in the Edmonton region (such as EALT). You can donate or volunteer your time to help with conservation efforts.
Use your voice to advocate for the protection of wetlands, bogs, and fens, which are at-risk habitats where tamarack are often found.
How to Identify
Photo by Femke Schreurs on Unsplash
Conical, coniferous tree growing up to 20m tall, with small reddish-brown flaky scales.
Flat green needles in tufts of 10-20, quite soft when young. In the autumn, the needles turn a bright golden yellow and drop off.
Where to Find
Tamarack prefers moist soils, and is commonly found in fens, bogs, and muskegs.
It is very cold-tolerant and widespread across the boreal forest.
Food Chain
The inner bark is eaten by porcupines, young saplings are eaten by snowshoe hares, the seeds are eaten by red squirrels and crossbills, and the buds are eaten by spruce grouse.
Birds often nest in tamarack.
Learn more
Read more about tamarack at our Fun Facts blog here!
Sources
Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Parkland (Johnson, Kershaw, MacKinnon, Pojar)
Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada’s Northwest Boreal Forest (Marles, Clavelle, Monteleone, Tays, Burns)