LARCH TREES

When I had time to absorb what trees were there I was delighted to see a line of relatively young Larch Trees. I had been acquainted with a mature one during my childhood when one clung to a road side bank in the village. In a way this species is iconic to me and then on the edge of The Platt was a line of six of them. They are needle droppers and we never had a cuppa without a needle adding to the flavour but that is what being outside is about. 

I had read Benedict Macdonald’s & Nicholas Gates’ book Eden - A Year in England’s Eden. This Eden lies near The Malvern Hills where there is direct reference to an old, still existing orchard, where the habitat is ideal for wildlife especially, in this case, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. These old style orchards were the orchards of my childhood which sadly were soon to be replaced by slender trees planted in rows. I loved those old orchards and remember the birds that nested within.
And so when I returned to Cornwall I found that by chatting to a neighbour he had both the Lesser & Greater Spotted feeding on his feeders. That delight was transferred just up the road where both species called from the top of a Larch most mornings. It was a delight particularly as the Lesser Spotted is rare. There were other delights too.

Now to these trees: I lifted this as I need to know more about what they can give to wildlife. The birds seemed to feed while on the slender branches.

LARCH
A spring-time show off, European Larch is a Conifer full of surprises.  Introduced over 400 years ago, it is a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.  
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Value to wildlife

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. (I will have to check on these moths and see if they frequent North Cornwall)

Mythology and Symbolism. 

In European folklore, larch was said to protect against enchantment. The wearing and burning of larch was thought to protect against evil spirits. (we can try that, one evening)

Threats and Conservation. 

Larch is susceptible to the fungal disease larch canker. It can also be affected by larch bark beetle and butt rot fungus. Most recently it has been affected by the Ramorum Disease, which affects and kills Japanese Larch Trees and is spreading throughout western parts of the UK.

There is always risk and I am considering applying for a tree preservation order to ensure they do not attract the attention of a chain saw. The line of trees are between our field boundary and our neighbours stock fence. All trees should be cherished.