European larch (Larix decidua)
Family: Pinaceae
Common names: Common larch, European larch, Lark, Tamarack
Distributed in: Austria, Russia, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom (Eastern Europe, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe)
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.
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, Stairrails, Stairworks, Stakes, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Utility poles, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Windows
Environment profile: Status has not been officially assessed
Tree size: Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm
Colors: the heart isRed - pale , Reddish brownand the sapwoodWhite to yellow, Yellow.The grain isStraight, the textureUniformand the lusterSlightly lustrous
Natural durability: Very durable, Very durable
Odor: No specific smell or taste
Kiln Schedules: Drying (speed) is fast
Drying Defects: Slight twist/warp, Uneven Moisture Content
Ease of Drying: Moderate
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is straight
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
Boring: Very good to excellent results
Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw
Gluing: Very Good to Excellent Results
Mortising: Very Good to Excellent
Moulding: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Movement in Service: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Nailing: Requires pre-boring , Tends to split during nailing
Planing: Very Good to Excellent
Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is moderately resistant
Resistance to Splitting: Satisfactory
Response to hand tools: Worked fairly easily with hand tools
Routing recessing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Sanding: Very Good to Excellent Results
Veneering qualities: No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting, There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Steam bending: Moderate
Screwing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy, Very Good to Excellent Results; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results
Painting: Very Good to Excellent; Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Staining: Very Good to Excellent; Varnishing: Very Good to Excellent;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
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Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
Specific Gravity |
0,41 |
0,55 |
|
Density |
|
560 |
kg/m3 |
Bending Strength |
548 |
899 |
kg/cm2 |
Crushing Strength |
246 |
440 |
kg/cm2 |
Hardness |
|
337 |
kg |
Impact Strength |
83 |
78 |
cm |
Shearing Strength |
|
108 |
kg/cm2 |
Stiffness |
82 |
99 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
Tangential Shrinkage |
|
|
% |
Radial Shrinkage |
2 |
|
% |
Weight |
544 |
544 |
kg/m3 |
Maximum Load |
0,7 |
0,91 |
cm-kg/cm3 |
Toughness |
|
239 |
cm-kg |
Static Bending |
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kg/cm2 |
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| | | | Item | Green | Dry | English | Bending Strength | 7795 | 12796 | psi | Density | | 35 | lbs/ft3 | Hardness | | 745 | lbs | Impact Strength | 33 | 31 | inches | Maximum Crushing Strength | 3511 | 6265 | psi | Shearing Strength | | 1542 | psi | Stiffness | 1173 | 1422 | 1000 psi | Toughness | | 208 | inch-lbs | Work to Maximum Load | 10 | 13 | inch-lbs/in3 | Specific Gravity | 0.41 | 0.55 | | Weight | 34 | 34 | lbs/ft3 | Radial Shrinkage | 2 | | % | Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | | % | |
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. 0 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 Bending strength (MOR) = low Work to Maximum Load = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness (total work) = medium Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
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