Npn-plant

tamarack (Larix laricina)

  • When to observe: Year-round
  • What to observe: Needles, Pollen cones, and Seed cones
  • Where to observe:
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Tamarack is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The USA-NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.
Tamarack is a deciduous conifer tree that grows 40 to 80 feet tall. Male and female cones are present on the same tree. The small, yellowish male cones bear pollen and the reddish brown female cones mature and become pale brown. Cone production begins when the tree matures at about 15-40 years of age, and pollination occurs by wind. Tamarack prefers moist to wet soils and cooler weather. It is often found in poorly drained swamps, bogs and muskegs, and also found along streams, lakes, swamp borders, and occasionally on upland sites.
You should observe...
Here are the phenophases you should observe about this plant.
Needles Breaking needle buds

One or more breaking needle buds are visible on the plant. A needle bud is considered "breaking" once green needle tips are visible at the end of the bud, but before the needles have begun to unfold and spread away from others in the bundle.
Needles

One or more live unfolded needles are visible on the plant. A needle is considered "unfolded" once it begins to spread away from other needles in the bundle and is no longer pressed flat against them. Do not include dried or dead needles.
Colored needles

One or more needles (including any that have recently fallen from the plant) have turned to their late-season colors.
Falling needles

One or more needles are falling or have recently fallen from the plant.
Pollen cones Pollen cones

One or more fresh male pollen cones (strobili) are visible on the plant. Cones have overlapping scales that are initially tightly closed, then spread apart to open the cone and release pollen. Do not include wilted or dried cones that have released all of their pollen but remain on the plant.
Open pollen cones

One or more open fresh male pollen cones (strobili) are visible on the plant. Cones are considered "open" when the scales have spread apart to release pollen. Do not include wilted or dried cones that have released all of their pollen but remain on the plant.
Pollen release

One or more male cones (strobili) on the plant release pollen when gently shaken or blown.
Seed cones Unripe seed cones

One or more unripe female seed cones are visible on the plant.

Ripe seed cones

One or more ripe female seed cones are visible on the plant.

Recent seed cone drop

One or more mature seed cones or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature seed cones that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
If drought seems to be the cause of needle color or fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.
Tamarack is a conifer that is deciduous, turning golden-yellow then shedding all of its needles annually in the fall.

Gardens with this plant

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