'Lindquist' Siberian Larch Seed

Latin Name: Larix sibirica

DESCRIPTION

Family: Pinaceae

Native Range: Northern Europe and Asia

Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan

Height and Spread: 20m x 5m (25 years)

Overview: The 'Lindquist' seed strain was developed specifically for tree planting in dry cold temperate regions of the Canadian prairies. It is a composite of parent trees selected from mature Siberian larch trees in southern Saskatchewan. It is named in honour of Carl Lindquist, propagation technician at the PFRA Tree Nursery from 1954 to 1984.

Seed: dark brown, 2-4 cm long. 

Average viable seeds/packet: 640

SEED TREATMENT / SOWING

Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand for 45 days at 5C. 

Ideal sowing time: Fall.

Sowing instructions: Outdoors - Sow 1 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell.

Growing conditions: 'Lindquist' Siberian larch grows on a wide variety of soils but favours loamy soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant, preferring sunny exposure. It is characterized by a narrow upright crown and extreme hardiness (zone 1).

AGROFORESTRY VALUE

'Lindquist' Siberian larch is used as specimen trees or in hedges and windbreaks. It also does well in plantations. The dense, deep roots make it useful for soil stabilization. Its open crowns allow for uniform snow distribution adjacent to the windbreak. It has excellent wood quality for flooring and decking.