Native Trees of Prince Edward Island
Eastern Larch (Larix laricina)

Juniper, as the majority of islanders call it, occurs throughout the province. No large or extensive pure stands occur but is chiefly confined to boggy areas gowing with balsam fir and black spruce. In better drained areas, it is found with black, red and white spruce, trembling aspen and white birch.

Tamarack seldom reaches a height of over 60 feet on PEI with a diamter of over 18 inches.

Tamarack is the heaviest and strongest of our softwoods. It's resistance to decay makes it very suitable for posts, railway ties, and telephone poles.

"Native Trees of Prince Edward Island and the more Common Woodland Shrubs". by J.F. Gaudet and W.M. Profitt Dept. of Agriculture. Charlottetown, PEI. 1958.

Eastern larch needles.

For more pictures and descriptions of this species, check out the Atlantic Forestry Centre, or the Iowa State University Dendrology page and the Dendrology at Virginia Tech Page and the Virtual Foliage Homepage. For a review of the ecology of this species, refer to the Silvics of North America and the The Natural History of the Northwoods.

In 1806, John Stewart wrote an excellent description of Forest Trees and Other Vegetable Productions on PEI at that time.

Eastern larch typical tree form.

Eastern larch cone.

Eastern larch twig and leaf.

Eastern larch twig in winter.

P.E.I. Forest Policy Notes:

Read more here.

We offer a number of workshops and guided tours at the Macphail Woods and it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the native trees of Prince Edward Island. Check out the Events Calendar for more information. Web development and maintenance by Chris Martin.

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