The Japanese larch has been extensively planted in the UK as a commercial timber tree where is grows fast on poor soils. It is superficially very similar to the European larch (Larix decidua). The larches are deciduous conifers, ie they drop their leaves in winter. The leaves on mature branches are in bunches, giving the branches an appearance like that of the cedars. The cones often remain on the tree for a while after they ripen as you can see in the photo below. This example is just inside the Botanic Avenue gate into the Botanic Gardens.

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens and Belvoir Park. Nomenclature updated 2023 to bring it into line with ‘Plants of the World Online’. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.