Golden Larch, Chinese golden-larch
Pseudolarix amabilis

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Pyramidal.

Pseudolarix amabilis is a deciduous Tree growing to 40 m (131ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 40

Where it is found

Evergreen and deciduous, broad-leaved mixed, forests; 100-1500 metres.

E. Asia - E. China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. The stem bark is used in the treatment of ringworm. The bark shows fungicidal activity against the parasitic Epidermophyton and Trichphyton fungi that cause ringworm.

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Other

Rating:

The wood is used for furniture, boat building, and bridges.

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Pest tolerant, Specimen. Best grown in a warm sheltered site on a deep fertile soil with a pH between 5 and 6 and an annual rainfall of around 1000mm. Plants dislike dry winds and soils that dry out readily. Slow-growing. A difficult tree to grow well in cool temperate regions, if planted out when small it is easily scorched and can be killed by temperatures of -5°c. In Britain good trees are only found in the southern part of the country. Plants prefer a continental climate with hot summers - they are then much hardier and tolerate cold winters. Best planted out when 30 - 80cm tall, it needs to be kept weed free until established and might require winter protection for its first few years. There are several named forms, selected for their ornamental value. Special Features:Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter in a cold greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-7

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. fortunei. Mayr. P. kaempferi. Gord.