Larch vs. Cedar

Larch and cedar are types of coniferous trees that belong to the pine family. There are 10 to 12 species of larch that grow natively in the cold parts of the northern hemisphere. There are four species of cedar, three of which are native to Mediterranean, while forth species originates from Himalayas. Larch can thrive in various climates, on different types of soil. It usually grows on the lower altitude in the northern parts of its range and in the mountains in the southern parts of northern hemisphere. Cedar can be found in the mountains with mild climate and proper amount of precipitation. Larch and cedar have few morphological features in common, but they also differ in many aspects:

Size and Shape of Crown

Larch can reach 65 to 147 feet in height, while cedar can reach 98 to 131 feet in height. Crown of larch can be cone-shaped (young trees) or broad (old trees). Cedar has large crown made of irregularly-shaped broad branches.

Leaves

Larch has soft, light green, needle-like leaves. They are arranged in bunches of 10 to 30 on the short shoots and individually on the long shoots. Cedar produces individual, three-sided, needle-like leaves that are spirally arranged on the long shoots or gathered in dense clusters of 15 to 45 needles on the short shoots. Cedar has darker, more prickly leaves than larch.

Shedding of Leaves

Larch is the only conifer which discards its leaves at the beginning of the autumn and develops new foliage at the beginning of the spring.

Cones

Larch produces small, light-weighted, erect cones. Young cones are green or purple in color. Cone size depends on the region (they are larger in southern areas). Cones often stay on the tree several years. Cedar produces large, barrel-shaped cones that are initially green or purple-colored. They are made of numerous, densely packed scales with claw-like spikes on the upper surface. Mature cones disintegrate to release seed.

Timber

Larch has moderately strong, heavy and durable timber that is used for manufacture of yachts, boats, telephone poles, railroad ties, cladding of buildings and log cabins. It is slightly less durable than cedar. Cedar has light-weight, reddish timber that emits pleasant fragrance few years after cutting. It is used for the manufacture of houseboats, decks, porches, fences, cloth chest and shoe trees.

Other Applications

Cedar and larch are often cultivated in ornamental purposes in the gardens or in the pots as bonsai. Arabinogalactan, starch-like substance extracted from larch, can be used in treatment of ear infections, common cold, flu and liver disorders. Fragrant oils obtained from wood of cedar are used as natural repellent for moths and for the manufacture of perfumes.