Hi, I think that as they are the same 'tree', differences in how each looks will be the deciding factor for you. I personally like the kampheri, but that's personal and I also grow and have grown laricina and decidua. The differences, apart from the very slight ones in needle bundle length, spacing and color are negligible.

I have collected several different specie of Larch from strip mines in Pennsylvania. These were all trees, 20+ years, most very distressed and came home with almost no roots to speak of. I found tham very hardy from the beginning and all turned out to be very good growers.

They must be treated as a decedious tree and never as a 'pine or conifer' so the soil mix should be adjusted accordingly as well as watering. They will tolerate being wet but also well drained.

Needle/leaf reduction: in spring I would pinch back the new growth totally, allowing the second growth to come back much smaller and in a better scale.

There is a Canadian guy called Norman (can't remember his last name) that has written a very good series of small books about Larch culture. We spent a lot of time comparing notes over the years, he is not only a very good grower but also a very good stylist.

Dear Lucy, ...... Dear Head Cutter:

Thank-you for the quick responses to my "larch questions"

I think that I will start doin' some larch bonsai. This genus appeals to me more than pine, cedar, or, junipers, because the larch actually DOES something, rather than just sit there in some fancy pot without changing from season to season, like the above mentioned trees. At least the larch has some four-season interest.

Again, thanks so much for your input.

Cordially,

Frank DV