About Larix lyallii Parl.
Larix lyallii Parl. is a small tree that reaches 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 ft) in height, growing even shorter at higher elevations. It has a straight trunk with a sparse, somewhat conical crown. Its branches grow horizontally, perpendicular to the trunk, and are irregularly spaced and twisted. Twigs are covered in fine hairs. The needles are four-angled, 20 to 35 millimeters (3⁄4 to 1+1⁄2 inches) long, and crowded in groups of 30 to 40 on short spurs. The needles are pale blue-green and deciduous, turning golden yellow in autumn. The seed cones measure 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1+1⁄2 inches) long; they are red-purple when young and darken to dark brown as they age. These cones have thin scales and narrow bracts that extend over the scales. Both pollen cones and seed cones become active in early summer. The bark is thin, around 2.5 cm thick, and changes color from yellow-gray to dark red-brown with age. It also develops deep furrows that divide it into small, scaly plates. This tree is one of the longest-lived tree species in the world. There is a recorded specimen in Kananaskis, Alberta, that is estimated to be around 2,000 years old, making it the oldest known tree in Canada. Its bark contains tannin, and its wood is strong, heavy, and durable.
