A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.
Its cones gradually open their scales to release winged seeds which are distributed by the wind.
Mature larch can grow to 30m and live for 250 years. It is fairly fast growing and cone-shaped when young, becoming broad with age. The bark is pinkish-brown in colour and thick, and develops wide vertical fissures with age. Twigs are amber or slightly pink, and hairless.
Look out for: the needles which form in clusters, like rosettes, along the twigs.Identified in winter by: the small oval cones that remain on the tree, and the loss of its needle-like leaves.
As a nature lover and hobbyist photographer I’m always on the lookout for beautiful scenery to photograph. One of my favorite subjects is the magnificent larch tree. Larches have a unique beauty that really comes alive when captured in pictures. In this article I’ll share some tips on how to take eye-catching photos of these glorious trees.
A Bit About Larches
Before diving into photography tips, let’s take a quick look at what exactly larch trees are. Larches are a type of conifer, but unlike other conifers like pines and firs, larches are deciduous. That means they shed their needles each fall. Larches are found throughout cool, mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
One of the unique things about larches is their brilliant golden fall color. When autumn arrives, a larch’s needles turn a dazzling shade of golden yellow before dropping to the ground. This creates a stunning pop of color in the midst of the evergreens that retain their greenery year-round. It’s this amazing fall foliage that makes larches such a great photography subject.
Scouting the Perfect Larch Stand
The key to capturing jaw-dropping larch photos is finding a grove with peak fall color. This involves carefully timing your shoot. Head out too early and the needles will still be green. Too late and they’ll already be on the ground. I like to start scouting locations a few weeks before peak color is expected.
Your best bet is to look for larches growing at higher elevations. The cooler temperatures at altitude delay the change of color. While trees in the valleys lose their leaves early high-elevation larches will showcase golden needles for weeks longer. Study topographic maps to identify mountain roads and trails that pass through larch stands.
Once you’ve found promising spots, keep checking back as fall progresses. Note when the larches start transforming and return when color looks to be at its finest. The optimum time is a narrow 2-3 week window. Be ready to drop everything and head out when the larches at your chosen locale reach their golden peak.
Composing Your Larch Photo
Now comes the fun part – using your artistic eye to compose the perfect larch photo! Here are some tips for capturing these trees at their most photogenic:
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Focus on the larches Make sure they are the dominant element in the scene Move around until you find an angle that highlights their golden needles.
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Include fall colors in the foreground. Placing red or orange shrubs in front of the larches adds depth and contrast.
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Shoot in side lighting. Early morning or late afternoon sun casting shadows creates striking definition.
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Frame with mountains or hills. Use the surrounding peaks and slopes as a dramatic backdrop. Or position larches in the foreground with a valley below.
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Reflections double the impact. Compose your shot to include mirrored larches in a lake or stream.
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Highlight one tree. Isolating a single larch as the focal point can really showcase its radiance.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with angles, perspectives, and compositions to find what works best. Taking multiple shots of a scene gives you options later when editing and selecting images.
Post-Processing the Photo
After a successful shoot, you’ll likely have many great larch photos to choose from. Select the images with the most eye-catching compositions and optimal lighting. From there, you can use photo editing software to take your shots to the next level:
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Adjust color. Boost the warmth and saturation to really make those golden larches pop.
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Increase contrast. Up the contrast and whites to add more drama.
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Deepen the blues. Make a blue sky backdrop more intense.
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Sharpen details. Carefully sharpen the image to accentuate details in the larches.
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Reduce noise. Eliminate any unwanted noise or graininess from high ISO settings.
Take time to meticulously process your best larch pictures. Your goal is to produce images that capture the amazing beauty of these trees at the peak of their autumn splendor.
Appreciating the Majesty of Larches
Where to find European larch
European larch originates in central Europe but is now widespread in the UK, having been planted for timber.
This tree is a favourite for wildlife.
Credit: Rebecca Cole / Alamy Stock Photo Did you know?
Larch trees can retain old cones on their stems for many years.
The seeds of the European larch are eaten by red squirrels and a number of birds, including the siskin and lesser redpoll, while the buds and immature cones are eaten by black grouse. The caterpillars of many moths feed on the foliage, including the case-bearer moth and larch pug. Larch tortrix moth caterpillars eat the cone scales.
In European folklore, larch was said to protect against enchantment. The wearing and burning of larch was thought to protect against evil spirits.
Larch is the only deciduous conifer in Europe. Before they fall, the needles turn a bright bronze-yellow in autumn.
Credit: Nature Photographers Ltd / WTML Did you know?
Larch is very hardy, so hardy that some species were thought to be impenetrable by fire.
What does European larch look like?
Credit: Margaret Barton / WTML
Light green leaves are soft and needle-like, 2–4cm long, and grow in tufts from short woody knobs, or shoots, on the twigs. They turn golden yellow before falling in autumn.
Credit: Tim Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo
Male structures form on the underside of shoots, and are globular clusters of creamy-yellow anthers. Female structures grow at the tips of shoots and are often referred to as ‘larch roses’. They comprise flower-like clusters of scales in pink, green or white.
Credit: Geoff Scott Simpson / naturepl.com Seed cones
After pollination by wind, the female cones ripen, become brown and grow to around 3–4cm long with a hollow top. They gradually open their scales to release the winged seeds within which are distributed by wind.
Trees woods and wildlife
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Tree id: Larch trees – Hybrid European and Japanese Larch – Winter UK tree identification
FAQ
How do you identify a larch tree?
Look out for: the needles which form in clusters, like rosettes, along the twigs. Identified in winter by: the small oval cones that remain on the tree, and the loss of its needle-like leaves.
What is another name for a larch tree?
A common alternative name for the larch tree is tamarack. Specifically, Larix laricina is often referred to as the American larch, eastern larch, or tamarack.
What is special about a larch tree?
Unlike their evergreen cousins, larches are deciduous and drop all their leaves (which look like needles) each autumn.Dec 26, 2024
Is a tamarack tree the same as a larch tree?
They’re the same genus, larix, but different species. Western Larch is Larix occidentalis, while Tamarack is Larix laricina. “What I tell people,” says Beall, “you call them whatever your grandma called them and you can’t be wrong.”