The cones are erect, ovoid-conic, 2–6 cm long, with 10-90 erect or slightly incurved (not reflexed) seed scales; they are bright pinkish-red at pollination, then green variably flushed red to purplish when immature, and turn brown and opening to release the seeds when mature, 4–6 months after pollination.

[7] The following varieties are accepted by Plants of the World Online:[2] The Polish larch, being disjunct and growing in a different lowland habitat with a more continental rather than montane sub-oceanic climate, is widely treated at the higher rank of subspecies rather than variety, Larix decidua subsp.

[12] The seeds are an important food for some birds, notably siskin, redpoll, and citril finch, while the buds and immature cones are eaten by capercaillie.

Larix decidua is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree for planting in gardens and parks.

[18][19] European larch is now widely naturalised in northern Europe, including Britain,[20] Scandinavia, and in Germany north of its native range.

It is also widely cultivated in southern Canada and the northeastern United States, and is naturalised in Maine, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

Because of its fast juvenile growth and its pioneer character, larch has found numerous applications in forestry and agroforestry.