Siberian larch. Larch: types, properties, uses, contraindications, recipes Larch wood properties and uses

Larch forests are considered to be very common in our country; they occupy at least one third of all forest areas found in the central region, in the east, west and north.
Siberian larch is considered the most suitable for the construction and production of wood products. This tree species is widespread in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Irkutsk Region, and Siberian larch grows unevenly in these regions. In particular, in the region of the Angara region, the number of larch gradually increases from the southwest to the northeast, and in the regions of the Eastern Sayan and the Lena-Angara plateau, Siberian larch grows in the lower part of the mountain slopes. It can also be found on other elements of the relief.
Within its habitat, Siberian larch is found almost everywhere. However, in areas with a warmer climate, larch gives way to cedar, and on sandy soils, pine is more common.
The life span of larch is about 450 years. Moreover, during this time, the height of the tree can reach 45 meters, the diameter of the trunk is about 1.8 meters. However, in areas with more favorable habitat conditions, one can also find larger specimens - trees reaching 50 - 60 meters in height, with a trunk diameter of about 2.5 meters.
It is rather difficult to determine the age of larch, because old trees are often affected by diseases such as, for example, heart rot. In nature, there are individual specimens whose age is more than 1000 years, although there are very few such trees today. It is rare to find larch about 700 - 900 years old, but trees whose age is 400 - 500 years old are quite common, and they are distinguished by a healthy root system, intact crown, without any signs of aging.
Larch is a monoecious tree, on which flowers of different sexes grow. Male and female inflorescences are located close to each other, this is necessary, since larch seeds that do not have air sacs are poorly tolerated by the wind, which greatly complicates pollination. However, larch is prone to self-pollination, which leads to the formation a large number empty seeds. Especially often this phenomenon occurs in foreign forests, where larch grows in small quantities.
The pollination period for larch begins in May, at the same time when the needles bloom. Seeds ripen in September. It should be noted that the cones of the tree open gradually, so the seeds can spill out throughout the year. The cones stay on the branches for about 3-4 years, and the seeds can be found not only in young cones, which can be identified by a lighter color, but also in old ones.
Under good growing conditions, larch begins to produce seeds at the age of 15 - 20 years, however, if conditions worsen, the age of seeding may come later.
Crop years in larch occur about once every 3 to 5 years. The average harvest can be observed with approximately the same frequency. But the complete absence of a crop is extremely rare. Of course, the yield depends on the climatic conditions of the region where the tree grows. In particular, in regions with a harsh climate, harvest years are observed somewhat less frequently. However, it should be noted that seeding can occur only in harvest years, this circumstance is influenced by various factors. In particular, larch has a low degree of germination, and birds and mammals that prefer larch seeds to seeds of other tree species destroy a significant part of the crop.

Where is larch used?
Larch is a unique tree species that has numerous useful properties, widely used in various economic activity. For example, the density of larch wood is practically not inferior to oak wood, and larch, subject to high-quality drying, is practically not subject to decay, which cannot be said about other types of wood. All this makes larch buildings strong and durable.
Larch is also used in marine shipbuilding. The fact is that the composition of its wood contains a special substance - gum, which protects the wood from negative impact water, protects from marine animals that can cut through any other wood, concrete, as well as soft rocks.
Larch breed has some disadvantages. In particular, it is difficult to process, and if not properly dried (quick drying in the sun), it can warp or crack. This is due to the gum contained in the composition of the wood. In order to prevent this from happening, larch must be kept indoors for some time. a high degree humidity, or soak until the gum is completely removed.
Larch is used not only in construction, but also in pulp and paper production. However, properties such as rock hardness and low cellulose content make this use very limited.
Larch is also used in medicine. In particular, the needles of the tree are rich in vitamin C, from fruit bodies, formed when a wood-forming fungus, the “larch sponge”, is exposed to wood, a bitter-tasting ointment is obtained that has certain medicinal properties.
Larch is widely used in the production of paints and varnishes, as well as in soap making. This becomes possible due to the high content of resins in larch, which have the properties necessary for these areas of production. However, the content of resins in each particular tree is not the same, some trunks give a very small yield of resin, make it difficult for the tree to tap, and hence the possibility of its use.
Larch is distinguished by such advantages as a powerful root system of a tree, the ability to quickly grow in height, unpretentiousness and the ability to grow even in the most severe climatic conditions. Due to these advantages, larch is excellent for purposes such as field afforestation, as well as planting trees to protect soil from erosion.

Siberian larch (Latin name Larix sibirica) is a coniferous tree from the pine family. Name of this coniferous tree reflects its peculiarity to shed its needles like leaves every autumn. The dimensions of the larch tree itself are on average 50 m high and 2.5 m wide at the base. Larches are long-lived, they usually live from 700 to 1000 years.

In Russia, larches are distributed from the northern border of forests to the border with the forest-steppe. The largest concentrations of larches are located on Far East and in Siberia. Larch is also found in the European part of our country, but lumber lumber of Siberian origin is of value for construction. Larch, grown in milder European climates, has looser wood, similar in properties to pine wood.

larch properties

Siberian larch has a high resistance to decay. Its wood has a biological resistance twice that of pine. In accordance with European standard EN 350-2; 1994 larch wood is classified as very resistant species, and pine wood as moderately resistant. The resistance to destruction of this wood is explained by a combination of a number of its unique properties:

high density
the special composition of the resin,
high resinity.

A well-known proof of the strength and durability of larch is the piles on which Venice stands, made from this particular tree. They stand in the water and do not require replacement for more than 1000 years.

The resistance of larch to decay makes it possible to use it in places where the wooden structure is forced to come into contact with water or earth: in the decoration of swimming pools, moorings, in the exterior decoration of houses, to create wooden floors in the open air, piles, paths, etc.

Larch has a very hard wood, it is almost equal to the hardness of oak wood, and its strength in bending, stretching and compression bush than oak. And the beautiful texture of larch, combined with its strength, makes it possible to widely use Siberian larch as a floorboard, designed to be used for many decades.

As already noted, the pattern of larch wood is very beautiful. It has a pronounced structure, a special silky sheen and a wide range of 12 colors: it is formed by light yellow, red and golden brown colors.

The value of larch wood is that it has a very small number of knots and other defects. Therefore, a large amount of high-quality wood can be obtained from a larch trunk. The absence of flaws makes it possible to use larch in the design of the most expensive interiors.

Larch wood has a high fire resistance.

The use of larch in interior decoration

Larch is a type of coniferous wood. It combines perfection useful qualities and longevity. This tree has a wide range of uses, but has proven itself especially in construction. The valuable properties of this tree are not comparable with any other type of wood, which is why the cost of larch is slightly higher than that of pine, but significantly lower than that of many other types of wood. The world of the Forest is truly amazing, and larch occupies the main place in it.

Description of the breed. Larch is a coniferous tree.

Larch - coniferous tree

Many are wondering - larch is a coniferous or deciduous tree. Also, some believe that larch is a deciduous tree. Larch belongs to coniferous tree species. In favorable conditions, an adult tree can reach a height of 50 m in height and a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. The average life span of the breed is from 300 to 500 years. Cases of a plant life span reaching 800 years have been recorded. The tree has a loose crown of a cone-shaped or ovoid shape. Well illuminated by the sun. The needles have a bright green color and a flattened shape. Its location is single or spiral, and on short shoots it is bundled. The branches are arranged in a chaotic manner, without patterns. If the area is windy, the needles can be located only on one side of the tree.
It is worth noting that in autumn the tree sheds "leaves" before the onset of spring. The plant tolerates winter quite easily, this is evidenced by the absence of frostbite-"frostbite" even at a temperature of -60 degrees. Therefore, this tree can be found in the harsh northern regions, farther than any other vegetation. In Russia, the plant occupies large areas Siberia, the Far East and the south of Primorye. Outside of our country, the larch breed is common in Northern and Western Europe. The soil in which it grows valuable tree, has no special properties. The tree grows in Siberian moss swamps, as well as mountain slopes. Of course, this location affects the growth and size of the offspring. In favorable areas, a tree can coexist with such species as spruce, pine, birch. A strong root system does not have a pronounced trunk, has a branched shape and deepened lateral roots. This position of the root system allows you to hold on tighter and resist strong gusts of wind.

Reproduction of the breed. Larch cone.

Fruiting of plants begins with the achievement of 10-15 years. And good seed years are repeated at intervals of 5-6 years. Natural reproduction of the tree occurs with the help of seeds. Male ears are small and yellow color, and women's red, pink or green. Pollination occurs in spring or summer, depending on the region. So, in the southern part, pollination begins at the end of April, and in the northern part - in June. Cones ripen in the fall, so they begin to open either immediately or after overwintering. The seeds of the tree are small, with tightly fitting wings. Despite the strength of the plant, the seeds have a low percentage of germination, this is due to the lack of flying sacs in pollen, so many seeds are “idle”.

Artificial breeding of the breed has two options:
Seminal.
Cherenkovy.

It is much easier to grow larch from seeds than from cuttings. For this, mature cones are collected and dried until they open. The seeds are removed, and one month before the upcoming planting, they are soaked in water for one day, mixed with wet coarse sand. The finished mixture is laid out in special wooden boxes and placed in a cool place or refrigerator. It is important to take into account some nuances here, firstly, there should be holes in the boxes for natural ventilation, and secondly, it is necessary to correctly calculate the time of settling so that landing in the ground occurs in late April - early May. It is recommended to plant seeds no more than 1.5 cm deep, and it is strictly forbidden to specifically tamp or sprinkle seedlings with heavy soil. To do this, you can use a sand-peat mixture, which has sufficient porosity to provide good access to oxygen. As a seedling insulation, you can use a film that can be removed after the first shoots. Seedlings should be transplanted to a permanent place after they reach the age of two.
Growing larch using cuttings is a laborious process and requires the provision of many conditions. This is explained by a small percentage of rooting cuttings. Good growth and development of seedlings is affected by humidity, temperature, soil composition and light. To comply with all requirements, special nurseries are used, where experts can provide them with the necessary temperature and humidity conditions and care. It is worth noting that this approach is also explained by the poor rooting of cuttings in the open field.

Varieties of larch

Depending on the location, features of the tree, there are several types of larch species:

- she is also common, is a wide representative of the breed in Western and Northern Europe. It reaches a height of up to 50 meters, has a slender strong trunk and a dense crown. irregular shape. In our climatic conditions, an adult average tree reaches a height of 25 meters. The crown of a coniferous plant has the shape of a cone, the color is bright green. Mature cones have a brown tint, and their length reaches four cm, the tree begins to bloom in May. This tree is recognized as the fastest growing among its relatives. It is not afraid of cold weather, has a long service life and aesthetic qualities. It grows well on any soil, but does not tolerate places with stagnant waters. Excellent larch lives on calcareous, chernozem, podzolic soils and loams. In addition, well-draining soil will provide an excellent basis for strengthening and developing both the root system and the entire plant.

Siberian larch occupies 50 percent of the area in the forests of Russia and reaches 45 meters in height. The difference of this breed is a straight trunk, thickening towards the bottom. The plant is covered with thick, light brown bark. The needles of young shoots have the shape of a narrow pyramid and are rare; in adult trees it is wide, pyramidal in shape and raised high. The branches of the Siberian beauty are at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the trunk, and their ends are bent upwards. The leaves of the Siberian larch of a light green hue are narrow and range from 13 to 45 mm in length. When ripe, the cones acquire light brown and yellow hues. Pollination occurs in late April - early May and lasts for 1.5 weeks. Seed dispersal itself occurs in autumn, preferably in October. How long does a larch live? Siberian larch lives on average 200-300 years, but there are trees over 500 years old.

3. Daurian larch

grows in the Far East and under good climatic conditions reaches 30 meters in height. The difference of this breed is the red bark, which becomes much thicker as the tree grows older. Young shoots are straw-coloured and often seen bare and drooping. The needles are light green, up to 30 mm long. The cones of such a larch are small, only 20 mm long, have the shape of an egg or an oval. It is worth noting that the needles of the plant have a light green color in spring, bright green in summer, and golden in autumn. Flowering begins in late April - early May, and dispersal occurs in early autumn. The breed grows both on high mountain slopes and river valleys. Due to the undemanding nature of the soil, Dahurian larch grows in wetlands, rocky slopes and in areas with shallow permafrost.

4. American larch

distributed in the northern hemisphere and reaches only 25 m in height. The trunk diameter is usually from 30 to 60 cm. It is mainly found in Canada and the northeastern United States. The cone-shaped crown is formed by serpentine branches that hang down. The trunk is dark brown or gray color. The needles of the tree are light green in spring and darker in summer. The leaves reach 30 mm, and the cones are only 10-20 mm. They have a purple hue until completely dry and turn brown after opening. Flowering begins in mid-May, and productive fruiting is observed every 4 years. It should be noted that the growth of this larch is much slower than its sisters.

The varieties of larch do not end there, but unlike the above, most of them have decorative uses due to their small size.

Common larch pests

As with all plants, there are pests on this breed that can harm plants.

- a sucking insect that lays larvae that feed on plant sap. This insect is very small, but adults are able to fly from one tree to another.

The gall midge lives and feeds on plant tissues, the affected shoots begin to suffer from infection and soon die off. Various fungi on the bark of a tree can cause the spread of putrefactive formations and pests.

Many often wonder how to distinguish larch from pine. In fact, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main difference between these two trees is the needles. Larch is the only plant that sheds needles for the winter. Therefore, if a coniferous, bare tree appeared before your eyes, it is a larch. Pine only changes the color of the needles. You can also distinguish trees by their crown - larch has a conical frame, while pine is more round. Pine leaves are hard and look more like spruce needles, while larch leaves are flattened and soft to the touch. Cones of plants have different sizes, in pine they are larger and round shape, larch is smaller and oval. The difference can also be found in color - mature pine cones have a rich brown color, while larch has a brown one.

Trees can also be distinguished in the form of finished lumber.
The larch bark is much thicker and has a rich reddish tint inside. A sliver of larch will sink much faster than pine. The structure of larch will clearly manifest itself under the influence of water. A marble pattern with a pinkish tint will stand out strongly against the background of a pine product. The smell of pine is not to be confused with anything, while larch will not express such an incense with needles. With the help of a log, it is also easy to distinguish larch - the core and dense one-year-old rings will clearly stand out on the cut. All doubts will be dispelled by arson of splinters from both materials. Larch lights up for a long time and very slowly, unlike pine. The strength of larch is much higher, therefore, if you run a nail over the material, it is unlikely that deep marks will remain on it.

Pine and larch - different trees. Larch has significant advantages over pine, despite their common coniferous species. The main characteristic of larch material is density. Compared to pine, it is 1.5 times higher. The indicator of this property for larch is 670 kg/m3, while the density of pine is 440 kg/m3. Due to this, the tree has a higher hardness, which is 400 kg / cm2, the same indicator for pine - 200 kg / cm2. These two qualities already speak of the advantages of larch lumber. Building elements are stronger and can withstand significant loads.
Rot resistance is another quality to consider when choosing between two plants. So, pine has a 3-4 degree of stability, and larch 2-3. This shows how a tree can behave in the event of a danger. Pine has a low degree of resistance to decay, while larch has a moderate degree, and therefore is less susceptible to this risk. Fire resistance is an important indicator of wood resistance to fire. Due to its resinous nature, pine does not have high fire resistance, while larch is difficult to ignite, and burns very slowly when ignited. The moisture resistance of pine undeniably loses to its sister, for whom water is a way to increase its strength. The appearance of larch in comparison with a friend is noble and aristocratic. The surface of the material is distinguished by a marble pattern with a pinkish tint.

Due to its properties, larch is widely used in construction. The tree has the following decisive factors:
The strength of larch wood is comparable to oak. On the Brinell scale, the hardness of wood is 109 units, while oak has a hardness of 1 unit higher. Density contributes to strength - this is undoubtedly the advantage of the material, which reaches 660 kg / m3 at 10% humidity. This figure is 1.5 times higher than that of pine. The plant has high rates of compression along the fibers, modulus of elasticity, impact and static bending and chipping. Due to these characteristics, larch is used for the manufacture of parquet boards. Fire resistance is one of important factors when choosing a material. Larch has good fire resistance, the indicator is several times higher than other tree species. Resistance to fungal diseases allows the tree to live for quite a long time. Insects also appear on larch that can harm the tree, but due to the plant's poor susceptibility to pests, they often change their preferences. Water resistance is always taken into account when building with larch wood lumber. Due to this property, larch is used for outdoor structures. A distinctive characteristic - when absorbing water, the plant becomes even stronger. Therefore, earlier this breed was used in the construction of bridges.

Environmental properties

Environmental safety is a guarantee of quality of life, therefore any wood carries safety and guarantee of health. The aesthetics of the breed allows you to create various materials, not only fulfilling their direct duties, but also decorating the room. The thermal conductivity of larch is much less than that of another tree, this is due to its density, therefore, floors are mainly made from larch.

larch transportation

In order to deliver the wood to its destination, alloy and other types of transportation are used. The peculiarity of larches is the acquisition of greater strength after being in the water, so our ancestors tried not to float deciduous forest on water. After all, gaining excess weight the wood sank. Nowadays, this plant is rafted using cargo ships, which increases the efficiency and speed of timber delivery. For transportation, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the forest of natural moisture, which will be much larger than the dried wood. AT recent times rivers are loaded with traffic, so more and more wood is delivered by rail and road.

Deciduous plantings occupy a large area in Russia, while in other countries this species is not enough. The need for high-quality larch lumber is especially high in countries with desert areas and plantations unsuitable for building purposes. Regular buyers of wood are Iran, Israel, Iraq, the CIS countries, the European Union and China. The last country prefers larch, because it is it that serves as an excellent material for houses on the water. Lumber in the form of,, and is in demand. Abroad, larch is mainly used for decoration of premises and houses, for the production of furniture of excellent quality.
Austrians prefer Siberian larch as a building materials for building houses. It combines all the heat and sound insulation qualities, so the houses are solid. The appearance attracts foreigners and allows you to create delightful design complexes. The qualities and characteristics of this material allow it to be used in shipbuilding, in railway construction and many other areas. The possibilities of this tree are great, and with the help of modern technologies you can achieve unique results in various fields applications.

The use of larch in construction. Larch lumber.

Larch as logs

The high cost of rock and thermal conductivity are the reasons why complete log cabins are rarely made. The strength of the tree and its lifespan is an excellent solution for the construction of a durable structure, but the thermal conductivity indicator requires additional wall insulation or thickening. Therefore, it is advisable to use rounded logs for the lower crowns of the house. This will serve as an excellent support for subsequent crowns and will not allow the logs to sag much. Also, the first crowns of larch will protect the further tree from moisture, taking all the “blow” on themselves, which will only make them stronger.

This finishing element is very popular due to its qualities and design features. The material is an array of larch, well dried and processed. This preparation helps to avoid cracking and other deformations. The outer side has a convex surface, and the inner one is flat. With the help of the tongue-and-groove connection, a snug fit of the boards to each other is achieved, which creates a solid, integral structure. With the help of processing, a perfectly flat surface is achieved, and the gutters on the inside of the element serve as ventilation ducts. Coating finished item varnishes emphasizes the aesthetic appearance, with the help of which, the building looks beautiful.
The appearance of this material allows it to be used for interior and exterior decoration, regardless of the material of the walls. Usually they are sheathed with frame houses, but it is possible to finish walls made of brick, concrete, timber or panel. A block house is not only a beautiful finishing material, but also a protection of the building from adverse conditions, physical influences, humidity and frost. With its help, the thermal insulation performance of the walls increases, the degree of sound from the street decreases, the building acquires a full-fledged aesthetic appearance. Designers can use the block house to create a complex of original buildings.

Batten

The use of larch boards began long before the advent of modern technology. Larch was used for shipbuilding, mainly military, so it did not immediately come into use in houses. Bridges, piers and all buildings adjacent to the water were made exclusively from this breed. Larch flooring has long term service life, good wear resistance and moisture resistance. Natural components allow you to maintain environmental safety and warmth in the house. This element is made from solid wood, which explains its longevity and quality. Details required sizes cut, processed, subjected to thorough drying at very high temperature. The edges of the outer side are rounded, which creates the integrity of the picture and a good appearance.

Floorboards play a special role in the construction of open areas. Due to the good moisture resistance, the elements serve as a material for covering terraces, garden areas and paths, arbors. The specifics of manufacturing a floorboard is simple, specially made grooves on the outside of the coating act as a feature. Serves as a constructive solution to drain water from the floor and prevent slipping. Particular attention is paid to the processing of boards on open areas. To avoid fading in the sun, dust and dirt getting into the pores, special protective work is carried out with various compositions. The goal of the process is to obtain a film that resists exposure to sunlight and the penetration of dirt. With its help, the material does not lose its aesthetics over the years and pleases the owner with its beauty and sophistication.

Larch wood is more durable than oak and is 96 MPa by 94 MPa with almost the same density. hallmark larch wood is also a characteristic structure and beautiful coloring.

In terms of structure, larch belongs to the heartwood species. Its heartwood has a reddish color, and the sapwood is presented in the form of a narrow strip with clear contours of white or yellowish color. Annual rings are clearly visible, the boundary between early and late wood is pronounced. The wood has a beautiful texture. The reason for this is the different color of the sound and sapwood parts of larch, as well as the fact that there are very few knots in its structure.

It has an uneven density, which is due to big difference density of layers of early and late wood. Dense larch wood when freshly cut has a water absorption of 126%. Depending on the time of year and time of day, the humidity of a growing tree changes its values. True, in a small range, the reason for which is again high density.

The low water absorption values of larch make it possible to use its wood for the manufacture of high quality parquet boards. Larch tends to significantly reduce its volume after drying. Due to the low water permeability of wood, the drying process itself differs from drying other types of wood. Larch warps and cracks during drying, because internal stress increases very much.

The climatic conditions in which the tree grows also affect physical properties wood. So, for example, larch grown in the European climate has a much lower density than that grown in Altai or the Urals.

Larch wood is almost impossible to impregnate with any protective properties. This is due to the high density and low air and moisture conductivity.

The physical and mechanical properties of hardwood allow it to be used in many areas. The processing technology is specific. It is very heavily impregnated with resins, and when sawing, it is often necessary to clean the blades of saw cutters from resin. Before painting and sanding finished larch products, the top layer must be degreased and cleaned of resin, otherwise it will not be possible to obtain the desired result. But after the resin cleaning procedures, larch wood can be easily painted and polished.

Larch wood has unique properties, for which it is especially valued, the most important of them:

Larch has a very high resistance to fungal diseases and other biological damage. Moreover, the most biological stability is observed in the lower basal part of the trunk.
The resin impregnated with larch has very strong bactericidal properties. Now pharmacies have begun to sell it as “larch sulfur”, and earlier, and in some places even now, people willingly collected it and melted it, getting an unusually fragrant and healthy “chewing” gum. But that's not the point. Due to this resin, the tree does not require chemical treatment from damage by harmful insects.
Under prolonged exposure to water, the hardness of larch increases, the tree acquires the hardness of stone. At the same time, the time spent by the tree in the water also works to increase its strength. In Venice and Amsterdam, houses stand right in the water on larch pile foundations. That is, without any reservations, we can say that this tree gains strength over the years and has passed more than a thousand-year test of time.
Its fire resistance in comparison with other conifers is much higher. So, in relation to pine, this figure is 2 times higher.

Among all coniferous trees harvested in Russia, larch is clearly the leader in terms of its physical, mechanical and decorative properties, and within its Russian varieties, Dahurian larch is considered the most valuable. It surpasses other types in terms of strength and decorative characteristics. The trunks grow over 45 meters high and the taper is 1.2%.

Areas of use of larch wood

Remarkable properties of larch wood - the reason a wide range its use in industry. Construction, shipbuilding, production of musical instruments, the production of parquet, glued beams, sleepers in the construction of railway tracks, power poles - it is impossible to enumerate all the possibilities of using this wood.

Larch in historical buildings

In the palace of Count Sheremetyev, larch parquet.
In Moscow, in the Kremlin cathedrals and St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as in the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg, window frames and ceilings were made from it.
The Olympic cycle track in Krylatskoye - the paths are built of larch.
Larch was used in the manufacture of an organ in Kazimierz (Poland) as early as the 17th century, due to the high acoustic properties of its wood.
In the city of Zagorsk, a handmade ladle has been preserved, which is hollowed out from the root of a larch. The wood of its root system is the most decorative. The size of the roots is amazing. So, this bucket, which is hollowed out from the root, has a volume of more than 15 liters.
Underwater piles on which buildings in Venice and Amsterdam stand.

Application in construction and industry

Demand for this wood is not decreasing and is always high. Residents especially liked this type of wood. Western Europe. It goes on sale not only in the form of lumber of various plans, but also in the form of logs (roundwood).

Modern builders use it when equipping piers, pools, loggias and balconies, shower rooms, wall panels and furniture. In Russia during construction wooden houses they try to tie the lower crowns of the house from larch. If a wooden bath is being built, then the use of larch in the lower crowns has become the rule.

Not only the wood itself is used. Valuable raw material is resin and larch bark. Tannins, essential oils and dyes are produced from the bark, and larch sulfur is a taiga chewing gum that has antibacterial and healing properties.

It is a popular and sought-after tree species used in various fields of human activity. What is the reason for such popularity of the material?

In order to get a complete picture of what properties larch wood has, consider:

Characteristics and properties of larch wood

Larch - common softwood, one of distinctive features before other conifers is that the larch sheds its needles for the winter. It is believed that this is one of the moments of adaptation to the harsh frosty climate in which trees grow. To date, more than twenty main types of larch are common in the territory North America and Eurasia.

The height of a larch tree reaches 50 meters, and the diameter of the trunk is usually within one meter.

This is absolutely not whimsical tree, able to grow on any soil and in any climatic conditions.

Larch is a heartwood. The sapwood is narrow, usually not exceeding three centimeters. For construction and other needs, it is the core part of the tree that is most often used. has 12 different shades, as well as a beautiful structure created by the pattern of annual rings.

Heavy, hard and dense material. By hardness larch wood second only to the yew, taking second place among all breeds.

The density of larch is also one of the highest among all known wood species. Due to its density, larch wood has little water absorption, making it resistant to moisture, rain or snow. Under the influence of moisture, larch, on the contrary, becomes even denser, as if turning to stone. It is from larch that the underwater piles on which Venice was built were made. After 1000 years, when examining these piles, it turned out that they not only did not collapse, but also became even stronger, they resembled stone. This feature is connected with the special structure of the resin of the tree.

It has greater resistance to decay due to a substance such as gum, which is part of the wood.

Due to the large amount of resins in the composition of larch, it is not afraid of damage by insects and rodents.

For the reasons described above larch wood does not need additional processing chemical compounds to protect the material. Nature has already taken care of it.

Larch has a fairly good fire resistance, about twice as high as pine, and this is already a very good indicator for conifers.

The low thermal conductivity of larch allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building built from this wood.

At first glance, the cost may seem like a huge disadvantage of such wood, it is quite high, about twice as high as the cost of oak, but it is worth considering that it will last larch wood you several times longer. So, the cost here is rather a reasonable contribution than a rash waste.

As for the processing of larch, there are also some nuances here. It all starts with drying. Do not apply to larch quick drying, in which case you will not be able to avoid cracking inside the barrel. it is easy to tint and stain, but the surface must first be deresined.

But it doesn't stick well. To date, there are already special technologies for gluing larch, but they are not available for every enterprise.

As for sawing larch wood, it will also require some skill and a special tool. This is due to the high hardness of the wood, as well as the high content of resins that stick to the tool, making it difficult to process.

Larch wood - scope

The use of larch wood is very popular. Thanks to its properties, resistance to external factors and durability, it can be used wherever wood can be used.

Piles and supports for power lines, bridges and other structures are made from larch. They are used for the construction of ships, boats, piers, marinas, for finishing pools, baths and other premises that are constantly exposed to moisture.

Larch wood is used to produce window frames, doors, garden and kitchen furniture, parquet boards. Larch is used for construction and exterior decoration of buildings, roofing.

Also, larch is used to produce containers for liquids (barrels, ladles, etc.).

In addition to construction, larch is also used in medicine. Its wood contains phytoncides, antioxidants, essential oils and other components that are often used for the use of medicines.

Natural paint for fabrics, as well as soap, are made from larch bark.

Sometimes larch is also used as fuel. This is not often done due to the high cost of larch firewood and low heat transfer.

Irina Zheleznyak, Correspondent of the online publication "AtmWood. Wood-Industrial Bulletin"

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