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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Larix decidua Trade Name European larch Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Common larch, European larch, Lark, Tamarack Regions of Distribution Eastern Europe, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Austria, Russia, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: planking, Bridge construction, Canoes, Clogs, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Foundation posts, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Lifeboats, Light construction, Lock gates, Mine timbers, Parquet flooring, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Siding, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stakes, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Utility poles, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Windows Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The native range of European larch is separated into four distinct, closed regions plus several outliers centered in the Alps. It extends from Switzerland south to Italy. European larch been widely planted throughout Europe and Great Britain, and has also been planted in southern Canada and the northeastern United States. It has become naturalized in Maine, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. The tree prefers moist soils and usually thrives well under cool and humid temperate conditions. European larch is described as a very adaptable tree which grows very quickly when young, but each tree requires enough light and space, which tends to control the number of trees surviving to maturity. Heartwood Color Brown Red Black Purple Reddish brown Red Dark brown Red - pale Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood White to yellow Thin sapwood Resinous Pinkish Pale yellow Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Crossed Even Spiral Distinct (figure) Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Spiral Distinct figure Some trees develop spiral grain making them unsuitable for timber (as sawn lumber tends to split and warp badly during drying). Texture Fine Medium Fine Uniform Medium coarse to coarse Luster Slightly lustrous Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin streaks Natural Durability Durable Very durable Moderately durable Durable Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately durable in ground contact. More durable than most conifers. The standing tree is vulnerable to a fungal disease known as Larch Canker which tends to kill the tree at an early age. Weathering Excellent Odor Has a taste Has an odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content Requires proper seasoning to prevent resin from becoming a problem. Contains resin Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Collapse Checking Uneven Moisture Content Internal Honeycombing Possible Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting Slight surface checking Expect slight degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Knots may split and loosen during drying Distortion (twist/warp) is likely Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Easy Moderate Kiln drying is satisfactory High tendency to distort in reponse to changes in moisture content Dries at a fairly rapid rate Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 60-70 m Bark width is 15-20 mm Tree height is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm The life span of the tree is more than two centuries, although it is usually suitable for timber when it is about 40 years old. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Larch is usually selected over other conifers for those applications where durability and strength are the primary requirements, because it is considered to be harder and tougher. Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Hard knots in the wood may cause severe and uneven dulling effect on cutting edges. Boring Very good to excellent results Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult The material saws well but loosened knots may cause problems. Gluing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Mortising Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Retains shape after manufacture Medium Dimensionally stable after seasoning Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds nails well Easy to nail Tends to split during nailing Requires pre-boring Difficult to nail Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Hard knots may blunt cutting edges severely The wood performs generally well in planing, turning, moulding, boring, and other woodworking operations. Machining properties may also be affected by the presence of loose knots Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is highly resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Satisfactory Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Moderate working qualities Worked fairly easily with hand tools Cutting edges may be blunted due to hard knots Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Turning Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Easy to cut Steam Bending Moderate Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Takes paint readily Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Stains well Finish is generally good Varnishing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = very small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = soft