Mélèze laricin
Larix laricina

The tamarack is an unusual conifer since it looses its leaves, or needles, in autumn. The leaves take on a yellowing colour prior to falling. As with deciduous trees, the needles grow again each spring.(2,3,8)

The tamarack is the only representative of its genus in eastern Canada, but it can be found round the country, with the exception of two provinces. Of the ten species found in North America, three are indigenous. The larch is a slim, straight tree that can grow to a height of 20 to 20 metres (65 to 82 ft.).(2,3,8) It usually grows in a humid environment and on peatland.(2,3,8) It is a species that does not thrive in shade, which possibly explains its preference for peatland.(3)

This species is also economically significant and, thanks to its strong, long-lasting wood, it has a range of uses. It is more especially useful for structures that are in contact with water, but it is also one of the best fuel woods in its category.(2,5) The larch is also used as shelter and food by the porcupine.

REFERENCES      

1)        Burt, William H. and Richard P. Grossenheider.  1992.  Les mammifères de l’Amérique du Nord (au nord du Mexique).  Éditions Broquet inc. Quebec. Canada.

2)        Farrar, John L. 1995.  Les arbres du Canada.  2nd edition. Fides. Canada

3)    Frère Marie-Victorin É.C. 1995.  Flore Laurentienne.  3rd edition. Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal. Quebec. Canada.

4)    Gauthier, Robert.  2001.  Les sphaignes boréales.  Le Naturaliste Canadien.  Quebec.  Canada.  125(3).

5)    Groupe Fleurbec.  1987.  Plantes sauvages des lacs, rivières et tourbières.  Fleurbec.  Quebec.  Canada.

6)    Kaufman, Kenn.  2000.  Birds of North America.  Houghton Mifflin Company.  New York.  New York.

7)    Prescott, Jacques and Pierre Richard.  1996.  Mammifères du Québec et de l’Est du Canada.   Éditions Michel Quintin.  Quebec.  Canada.

8)    Rouleau, Raymond, et al.  1990.  Petite flore forestière du Québec.  2nd edition.  Les Publications du Québec.  Quebec.  Canada.

9)    Stokes, Donald et Lillian Stokes.  1997.  Guide des oiseaux de l’est de l’Amérique du Nord.  Broquet.  Quebec.  Canada.

INTERNET SITES

10) Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec.  www.maple-erable.qc.ca  Consulted on March 18, 2003.

11) http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pinban/all.html  Consulted on March 21, 2003. Rudolph, T.D., Laidly, P.R. 1990. Pinus banksiana Lamb. Jack pine. IN Burns, Russell M., Honkala, Barbara H., technical coordinators. Silvics of North America. Volume 1. Conifers. Agric. Handb. 654. Washington, DC : U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 280-293. [13391].

12) http://www.treeguide.com/index.asp  Consulted on March 21, 2003.

13) http://www.borealforest.org/lichens/lichen3.htm Consulted on March 21, 2003.