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Project Noah Nature School
Larix laricina
Tamaracks are small to medium-size conifers that may grow to 10–20 metres (33–66 ft) in height. The bark is composed of flakes peels away in chips leaving a reddish under layer. The needles are 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) in length and are in bundles of 10-20. This is an unusual conifer as in autumn the needles turn a bright gold and eventually fall off. This may be an adaptation to water conservation as the bogs and wetlands in which they live freeze solid in winter time.
Bogs and wetlands.
Spotted on Oct 28, 2008
Submitted on Aug 16, 2012
3 Comments
Thanks for the additional information!
Maria, I've often thought that, but most of the time these trees have their roots in water and at the time of the year when these trees turn gold that water is really cold (at least here in Minnesota)! One must usually wait until the water freezes before walking in the tamarack groves. Another interesting feature of these trees is that their needles are really soft and flexible.
Looks like a nice place for a walk