Description
The resinous heartwood is pale red-brown to brick red in colour, with clearly marked annual rings. The wood is straight grained, contains knots, and has a fine uniform texture. Weight about 590 kg/m³ (37 lb/ft³); specific gravity .59.
Siberian Larch
Durability:
The wood is moderately durable and subject to insect attack. The heartwood is resistant and the sapwood moderately resistant to preservative treatment.
Mechanical Properties:
Air dried timber is about 50% harder than Baltic redwood, and slightly stronger in bending strength and toughness, and similar properties in crushing and impact strengths.
Seasoning:
Larch dries fairly rapidly with a tendency to distort and for knots to split and loosen. It may be kiln dried very satisfactorily. There is small movement in service.
Uses:
- Pit props, posts, transmission poles, piles, boat planking, exterior work in contact with the ground
- Door and window frames, flooring, staircases, ship building
- As larch is harder an tougher than most conifers, it is used in preference where durability and strength are prime requirements
- Sliced as decorative veneers
Additional information
| Latin Name | Larix decidua |
|---|---|
| Family Name | Pinaceae |
| Distribution | Europe, particularly the mountain areas of the Alps, UK, W. Russia |
| Also know as | Mill syn. L. europaea, D.C |
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