Eastern Larch, American Larch or Tamarack (Larix laricina)

[Slow Learner]

They are native to the western mountainous part of the state of Maryland. Does anyone know if one can survive and, hopefully, thrive in my eastern part of the state (USDA zone 7a/7b) at sea level? I would like to try one as bonsai.

 

[sorce]

Do it.

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

They are native to the western mountainous part of the state of Maryland. Does anyone know if one can survive and, hopefully, thrive in my eastern part of the state (USDA zone 7a/7b) at sea level? I would like to try one as bonsai.

They really don't like heat. And like cold,very cold dormancy.
They are all over here in the swamps around me. I'm working 60 miles to the south,and I haven't seen a single one there in the wet areas. The area is zone 5 I live in 4. I know they can be grown in zone 5 for bonsai though. People on here have them. I don't know how well one would fare in zone 7.
Maybe get a little one and try it out. Or contact a bonsai club in your area and see what they say.

 

[Slow Learner]

Maybe get a little one and try it out. Or contact a bonsai club in your area and see what they say.

Good advice. Thank you. Another option would be Japanese larch. I've read that they are more heat tolerant.

 

[M. Frary]

Good advice. Thank you. Another option would be Japanese larch. I've read that they are more heat tolerant.

Yes they are. And very nice trees.

 

[AlainK]

Another option would be Japanese larch. I've read that they are more heat tolerant.

I don't know if they're easily available in the US , but Dunkeld larch (Larix x eurolepis) is the best species suited to milder, drier climates. They look very similar to Japanese larch.

 

[twisted trees]

Do it.

Sorce

...and it will die. Larch are a zone 6 or lower. Once the temperatures hit about 92-3 F larch begin to stress.

 

[Slow Learner]

...and it will die. Larch are a zone 6 or lower. Once the temperatures hit about 92-3 F larch begin to stress.

Thank you. I appreciate the advice and suggestions by others but this is the answer I was looking for. Thus, I will not look for a larch to collect on my visit to the western part of Maryland.

 

[coppice]

Larch suitable for your zone, is fun project and does the stuff we want (like back-budding). Buy three or five of them even if all they are, are slips.

 

[sorce]

Now's no time to start learning fast!

Do it anyway!

Sorce

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

european larch, japaese larch and their hybrid the dunkel larch are much more heat tolerant, try any one of those.