Larch

Overview

Larches are deciduous conifers with dense, resinous, orange-brown wood: among the hardest and strongest of the softwoods, and moderately durable. European larch is a boatbuilding and cladding wood; western larch is mostly sold as DF-L structural lumber; tamarack is a small north-eastern wood.

Pros

• Hard and strong for a softwood (Janka 590-830 lbf depending on species).
• Moderately durable heartwood; useful outdoors.
• Handsome, warm colour and strong ring figure.
• Moderate price (Wood Database).

Cons

• High silica in western larch and tamarack blunts cutting edges (Wood Database).
• Resin gums blades (European larch); greasy or oily feel.
• Soft earlywood and hard latewood sand unevenly into dips.
• Reported to cause skin irritation, hives and skin lesions.

Variants and subspecies

• Western larch (Larix occidentalis): 830 lbf, 575 kg/m3; mixed with Douglas fir and stamped DF-L.
• Tamarack (L. laricina): 590 lbf, 595 kg/m3; very seldom sold commercially.
• European larch (L. decidua): 740 lbf, 575 kg/m3; boatbuilding and flooring.
• Compare Douglas fir and Scots pine.

Working and finishing

Machines acceptably but tools dull, especially with western larch and tamarack, so use carbide. Resins clog blades (European larch); clean with solvent. Sanding can leave dips because of the hard and soft bands, so use a block. Pre-drill: it splits easily.

Staining and finishing colour

Contrasty rings blotch with pigment stain; seal first or use a gel stain, or oil it for a natural look. Colour deepens to a rich orange-brown over time.

Sustainability and handling

Not CITES-listed (Wood Database; checked 2026-09-30); IUCN Least Concern as of 2026-09-30 for all three. The Wood Database reports that Larix species have been reported to cause skin irritation, hives and skin lesions, so wear gloves and a dust mask.

Popular projects

Outdoor cladding and decking, boats, fence posts, flooring, beams and sturdy rustic furniture.

Buying notes

Western larch arrives mixed into DF-L lumber; European larch is common as cladding in Europe. No retail listing was opened for this guide, so the range shown is an estimate.