Seiser Alm Nature: Every year in late autumn the European larches on the Seiser Alm shine in a warm golden yellow. 🥰 The larch is the only native conifer that in autumn first discolours its needles and then sheds them completely. There is no exact scientific proof of this phenomenon. However, the larch grows up to an altitude of 2,500 metres above sea level and therefore it is assumed that this is an "ice-cold" survival strategy of the larch. ❄️ A tree evaporates water through its needles, but this is not available during frost, the tree could then die of thirst. 👍 In addition, the needles of larches differ from those of other conifers in our latitudes. The needles of spruces and pines are covered with a wax layer that protects them from the cold and drying out in winter. The needles of the larch are very thin and without a wax layer. By shedding the needles, the larch can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees. 😱 In spring, we can then look forward to the bright, fresh green of the larch branches. 🌲 📸 Manfred Kostner —— #seiseralm #alpedisiusi #loveseiseralm #livingthedolomites #seiseralmnature —— #lärchen #larici #larches #herbst #autunm #autunno #natur #natura #nature #dolomites #dolomiten #dolomiti #südtirol #altoadige