The larch genus (Larix mill., Pinaceae) at Peter the Great Botanical Garden

There are 148 trees of larches ( Larix Mill.) cultivated at Peter the Great Botanical Garden of V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of RAS (Saint Petersburg, Russia) which belong to 16 species (22 taxa). They are long-lived large-sized trees, up to 200 years old. The larches represent the base of tree-stand of the arboretum and form the alleys at the oldest historical regular part of Botanic Garden. The largest trees reach 31,6 m high ( L. dahurica ) and 113 cm in trunk diameter ( L. decidua and L. dahurica ). The pride of collection is represented by rare Far Eastern species - L. olgensis and related to it L. lubarskii and L. maritima. There are species promising both for repeated and primary introduction, the best prospects being in the flora of China and of adjacent countries of Eastern Asia. The continuous monitoring on winter hardiness as well as on steadiness to pests and diseases is necessary, which is especially true in conditions of the global warming of the climate. The investigation of reproductive abilities, quality of seeds and of seed generation is of importance. It is necessary to involve the best species and forms into city planting and forest economy.