Larch roses

I had a fantastic day out today with Historian31 visiting several 8 churches on the East/West Sussex border. I never ceases to amaze me how beautiful and different the churches are in our area, we are very lucky!
Our final church was at Horsted Keynes, probably better known as a station on the Bluebell railway. This Larch tree was in the churchyard, and was in bloom.
Introduced to Britain in the 17 century the European larch ( Larix decidua) is the only decidueous (looses it's leaves in winter) conifer native to central europe. Mature larch trees can grow to 30m tall and live up to 250 years! The male flowers form on the underside of shoots and are basically a globular cluster of creamy yellow anthers which release pollen into the wind.
The female flowers however are really beautiful, these 'larch roses' comprise of a flower like cluster of scales in different shades of pink, green or white growing on the tips of the shoots. I have never seen them before, and was amazed how beautiful they are. 
And for those who love churches I have put a shot of the beautiful Holy Trinity church in Hight Hurstwood in my extras.
Such a pretty church in a wonderful quiet location with a lovely wooden tower.