This is the only tree of which I am aware that is both deciduous and coniferous. At this time of year the needles on most of the Larch have turned yellow and will soon drop off. They provide spectacular color to our northern forests for several weeks. This is what a stand of them looked like a week ago. Here they are mixed with a few firs and spruce, which are evergreens.
The Western Larch grows in the U.S. only in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northern Idaho and western Montana. They live long lives, some well over 400 years and it isn’t too uncommon to see one over 200 feet tall with a trunk diameter of four feet. The large ones tower above the pines, firs and cedars as this one does.
These are just beginning to shoot up above their neighbors.
In this photo the Larch are mixed with full grown firs and cedars.
When they grow in a spot where they are not crowded, their branches really spread out.
I especially like the contrast of their yellow needles with the green of the other conifers!
(Photographed October 10, 2007 at Siegel Creek Divide in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains of western Montana.)
Montana Outdoors 