Larch
Botanical name
Larix decidua
Origin
North America
Other names
Larche, Meleze, Alerce, Larice
Notes
High altitude species, LARCH is found in the Alp mountains and in Central Europe.
European standard EN 14081-1 "Timber structures - Strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross-section" gives the scope of the requirements found in NF B 52001 and applying to timber structures for visual grading of French timbers.
WOOD DESCRIPTION
| Color: |
pinkish brown |
| Sapwood: |
clearly demarcated |
| Texture: |
medium |
| Grain: |
straight |
| Interlocked grain: |
absent |
| Note: |
Heartwood is pinkish brown with redish brown veins. The grain is usually straight but might be oblique (twisted logs) |
PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL AND ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES
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(*: at 12% moisture content, with 1 MPa = 1 N/mm²)
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NATURAL DURABILITY AND TREATABILITY
| Funghi (according to E.N. standards): |
class 3-4 - moderately to poorly durable |
| Dry wood borers: |
durable - sapwood demarcated (risk limited to sapwood) |
| Termites (according to E.N. standards): |
class S - susceptible |
| Treatability (according to E.N. standards): |
class 4 - not permeable |
| Use class ensured by natural durability: |
class 3 - not in ground contact, outside |
| Species covering the use class 5: |
No |
| Note: |
This species is listed in the European standard NF EN 350-2. |
SAWING, MACHINING AND ASSEMBLING
| Blunting effect: |
normal |
| Sawteeth recommended: |
ordinary or alloy steel |
| Cutting tools: |
tungsten carbide |
| Peeling: |
not recommended or without interest |
| Slicing: |
nood |
| Note: | LARCH sawing is easy but one must take into account the clogging of saw blades due to resin. |
| Nailing / screwing: |
good but pre-boring necessary |
| Gluing: |
correct |
| Note: |
Gluing is correct for woods dried over 70°C but more deliquate for others because of resin. |
