Western Larch

About Western Larch in Alberta

Western Larch is a rare native Alberta larch of southwestern upper montane and lower subalpine mixed conifer forests. It is a deciduous conifer, turning bright yellow in fall before dropping its soft clustered needles. For ARA, Western Larch is highly significant because Alberta populations are rare, ACIMS-tracked, S2/G5, edge-of-range, fire-dependent, and potentially vulnerable to future moisture and climate change.

Identification: Western Larch has soft deciduous needles borne in clusters on short shoots. Needles are yellow-green to pale green during the growing season and turn bright yellow before falling in autumn.

Alberta range and habitat: Western Larch is native but rare in Alberta, mainly in southwestern upper montane and lower subalpine forests. Key areas include Crowsnest, Waterton, Kananaskis, Castle, and adjacent southwestern Alberta settings.