Trees and leaves · European Larch
Recognising a European Larch
A conifer that turns golden in autumn? The larch surprises the Wusels. Discover its soft needle clusters and little cones.
The short answer
Many soft needles grow in tufts on very short shoots. On long shoots they grow singly. In autumn the needles turn yellow and fall off. The bark of older larches is thick, reddish-brown and deeply furrowed.
See the connection
Simplified drawings, not to scale. Not a guide for identifying species.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Below the larch, Puschel finds yellow needles and thinks something is wrong. Flauschi checks the autumn picture with him. They recognise its seasonal needle loss. He adds the season to his drawing.
The needles
Many soft needles grow in tufts on very short shoots. On long shoots they grow singly. In autumn the needles turn yellow and fall off.
The bark
The bark of older larches is thick, reddish-brown and deeply furrowed.
The cone
Larch cones are small and oval. They stand upright on the twigs and often stay on the tree for a long time.
Mini quiz
What do you remember?
1. What happens to larch needles in autumn?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)They stay green all year
- b)They turn yellow and stay on the tree
- c)They turn yellow and fall
Show answer
Correct answer: c): They turn yellow and fall They turn yellow and fall
2. How do many larch needles grow on short shoots?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)In soft tufts
- b)Always in pairs
- c)Only singly and prickly
Show answer
Correct answer: a): In soft tufts In soft tufts
3. What are larch cones usually like?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)Small and oval
- b)Long and cylindrical
- c)Large and spherical
Show answer
Correct answer: a): Small and oval Small and oval
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Three tree clues
Why is a larch bare in winter?
Larch is a conifer but sheds its needles in autumn. First it breaks down some green leaf pigment and recovers materials. Yellow colours become visible. Without needles, it loses less water during winter. New needles grow from buds in spring.
Compare and understand
This reveals a useful distinction: conifer describes a group of trees; evergreen describes keeping green leaves through the year. They are not the same. A bare larch in winter need not be dead. Watch for new needle clusters from the path in spring.