Originating from Japan, this species of Larix are deciduous trees of conical habit, with vibrant bright green autumn colour from the soft, needle-like leaves which are borne in whorls on spur-like lateral shoots and spirally arranged on young growth; small ovoid cones persist on the branches.

L. kaempferi is a vigorous deciduous conifer forming a large tree reaching up to 30m with reddish young shoots bearing whorls of light green leaves becoming yellow and orange in autumn. Cones ovoid, erect, to 3cm long, with out-curved scales