European larch
Originally, the European larch was only found in four isolated parts of Europe: the Alps, the Vienna Woods, the High Tatras and Poland. It is now one of the most important commercial tree species in Central Europe. That is because the larch boasts the heaviest and hardest indigenous coniferous wood – its resilience makes it outstandingly suited for construction, even for use outdoors and in hydraulic engineering. The larch is the only native conifer that, like deciduous trees, sheds its needles in the autumn. In spring, too, it differs from related genera: Its female cones are a showy purple.
European larch (Larix decidua)
| Family: | Pine, Pinaceae |
| Distribution: | Montane to subalpine coniferous forest altitudinal zone in the Alps up to 2,400 metres |
| Size: | 25–35 metres in height and 12–15 metres in breadth |
| Life: | Up to 300 years |
| Requirements: | Very frost-hardy, tolerates dry periods and low humidity well |
| Soil: | Deep, fresh soils |
| Benefits: | Adaptable conifer, important timber tree, Tree of the Year 2012 |
Song, ring out!
The German writer and poet Johann Gottfried Seume once said: “Where people sing, there confidently settle down – evil people meet joyous song with a frown.” If that is true, then you should definitely stop and take a break at this tree. The over 100 active singers of the Ruhrkohle Choir and friends of the ensemble have donated the European larch for the climate arboretum and thus undertaken to sponsor the tree.
For almost four decades now, the Ruhrkohle Choir has nurtured the rich heritage of mining songs. Its travels have taken it across Europe – from the Baltic States to Malta, from Spain to Türkiye, and even to the Vatican in Rome. Numerous professional CDs and video productions, as well as concert tours and television appearances, document its extraordinary work. Of course, the choir has many miners’ songs in its repertoire, but it also attaches great importance to modern influences: Its program also includes sacred songs and melodies from operas, operettas, musicals and folklore, as well as pop songs. The result is an unusually varied and extensive repertoire of over 430 songs. The great passion and strong desire to voice its commitment to the culture of mining have made and continue to make the choir what it is today: unique.
Occasion for planting
The European larch was planted thanks to the generous donation from the Ruhrkohle Choir and its friends. The sponsorship helps us to grow our climate arboretum and thus to promote regional climate adaptation and transformation of the former hard coal mining regions. The RAG-Stiftung expresses its sincere thanks for this valuable support.
