October is definitely one of our favorite months of the year, with fall being our favorite season of the year. While we enjoy all the seasons thoroughly, fall is special because of all our harvests, the colors and its crisp (but not yet bitter cold) temperatures that we experience.
For our fall celebration, we want to talk about our favorite tree, a magnificent symbol of fall! This tree is called a Tamarack. The name Tamarack is derived from an Algonquian word, Akemantak, which translates to “wood used for snowshoes.” While many northerners refer to this tree species as Larch, we’ve long used its native name and simply prefer it.
We planted this Tamarack back in 2017, it was the very first tree that we planted on our new-to-us property. It was tiny back then, clocking in at around 8 inches! It’s hard to believe, but it’s gotten so big that it’s almost difficult to photograph these days! Tamarack are considered what is called a “pioneer tree,” meaning they are one of the first species to take hold after a forest fire or other clearing event.
In a lot of ways, this tree is very symbolic to us. It represents us making the decision to come north to put down roots, with both it and us starting life in a new place. Our Tamarack reminds us of our former home, Montana, where this tree was extremely prevalent and commonly celebrated. Tamarack are a relatively rare sight at our extreme northern latitude, despite their ability to survive our climate just fine.
What’s cool about Tamarack is that they are what is called a “deciduous conifer” rather than an evergreen. In the fall, the needles will turn to a deep, golden color, creating a distinct and striking swath of color after most of the deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Given time and colder temperature, the needles will eventually drop to the ground just like the leaves of a deciduous tree.
In the spring, the needles will return. Since they are new each season, its needles are silky soft and lovely to touch. We find it almost impossible to resist caressing the tree each time we walk by! The Tamarack’s spring and summer color is unlike most of our surrounding foliage, putting on a deep sea-like blue/green hue for our enjoyment.
We find it hard to believe how fast our Tamarack is growing! We featured this tree only two seasons ago now and it’s nearly doubled in height again! We’d estimate it’s around 14 foot tall now, easily towering over us humans. This tree will eventually become a major fixture on our property, a signal of our favorite season and passion for growing.
