Difference Between a Larch & a Dawn Redwood Tree

Similarities

• Larch and dawn redwood are tall trees when mature, up to 50 to 75 feet high. There is some variation in height among larch cultivars. Dawn redwoods in North America are still young and they may not have yet reached their ultimate height. They are both tolerant of boggy sites, unusual for conifers. Both trees have symmetrical, pyramidal forms and fine-textured foliage. Both are moderately drought tolerant. They are both used as specimens in landscape planting.

Differences in Species

• Larch and dawn redwood are gymnosperms; their seeds are carried in cones. The larch is a member of the Pinaceae (pine) family; the dawn redwood is Taxodiaceae (bald cypress). There are differences in the structure of cones and leaves between the two species. Larch doesn't do well in heat. They grow in cool-temperate to sub arctic zones. Dawn redwood prefers a warm, moist environment. They are small and twiggy where summers are cool.

Native Range

• The dawn redwood was thought to be extinct until living specimens were discovered in China in 1941. Fossils similar to dawn redwood have been found in North American dating 25 million years ago. The dawn redwoods now in North America grew from seeds distributed from the specimens found in China. They are genetically diverse, producing variations in form and foliage. The larch has a vast range in boreal lowlands and high altitudes of North America, Europe, Russia and China.

Planting Considerations

• Both larch and dawn redwood have notable fall color. Larch foliage turns a brilliant yellow, and the dawn redwood's turns amber. Both spread 15 to 25 feet. Both types tolerate heavy, wet soil and sites prone to flooding. Larch is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 1 to 5, the dawn redwood zones 4 to 8. Both prefer full sun, although larch handles some shade. Larch tolerates road salt in urban environments. Both require little maintenance once established.