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Larix decidua (Pinaceae)

This majestic larch grows alone at an altitude of 6.496 ft, in Vallone del Piz.

As it has never been close to human settlements nor places of worship, very little information is available about the actual history of this tree. The “Istituto per le Piante da Legno e l’Ambiente IPLA” (“Institute for Wood Plants and the Environment”) reckons that the tree may be some 650 years old – today, it features a trunk circumference of 21.6 ft and a height of 75.5 ft.

The specimen is considered probably the longest-lived tree in Piedmont.

This monumental larch is formed by a polycormic trunk that at about 10-ft high is divided into 3 main branches; the large and powerful roots offer secure anchoring to the ground as well as optimal stability.
The phytosanitary conditions of the specimen are fair as it shows several wood-decay fungi, due to past damages. A few years ago, the IPLA technicians carried out some pruning and removed the decayed tissues.

On the trunk, there is a stone plaque, nailed in 1936 by the Italian Alpine Troops (“Alpini”) from the Dronero battalion.

How to get there:

In the municipality of Pietraporzio (CN), take the run-down road that, going across Pian della Regina, leads to Zanotti Refuge. The large larch is located right along this road, on the upstream side.

Botanical sheet

The larch is a typical species of the mountain and submontane environment, but its distribution can range from 0 to 7.874 ft of altitude.
It is able to form pure (larch) or mixed woods, usually with spruce. Sometimes it can grow isolated beyond the treeline on scree or in rocky places.

It can adapt to any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. The species is heliophilic, therefore it requires environments with a lot of light in order to grow properly.

The bark of this tree, like several other parts of the plant, has been known since the past for its healing properties. Turpentine is extracted from the resin and it is used in the production of paints and solvents.

Its wood is hard, sturdy, waterproof, and resistant to insects: for these reasons, it is still used as a great construction material for buildings and ships.

Larch wood is also appreciated for cabinet making due to its features and beautiful reddish veining.

Photo source: http://www.alpidicuneo.it/2017/outdoor/quel-larice-monumentale-pietraporzio

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)