Larch belongs to the pine family and is one of the most common species of coniferous trees. More than two dozen species of this tree are known, of which 14 can be found on the territory of Russia, of which 99% are accounted for by two types of larch - Siberian and Dahurian.
It is the only conifer that sheds its needles for the winter. Easily tolerates cold temperatures down to -60 °C. refers to tall varieties of trees; under favorable conditions, 50-meter specimens with a trunk of a meter in diameter are not uncommon.
The shape of the crown changes depending on the age of the tree: in young specimens it is cone-shaped, in older specimens it becomes egg-shaped. On average, they live 300-500 years, although there are registered centenarians whose age is about 800 years, or even more.
The needles of the tree are soft to the touch, bright green in color, and medium in length.
Characteristics of raw materials
Larch is the only coniferous species that sheds its needles for the winter. In spring, the crop grows new greenery and blooms. Instead of the usual buds, cones form on the branches. The tree is distinguished from pine by a large amount of resin.
Larch is not afraid of frosts down to -60 C. The plant is classified as a tall species. Under favorable conditions, the crop grows up to 50 m in height, the trunk diameter is from 1 m. On average, the tree lives 350 years, although long-livers with an age of 800 years have been recorded.
Siberian larch Source zen.yandex.com
Beneficial properties of larch for human health
At the moment, there is an urgent need to ensure that all materials used in the construction and decoration of buildings meet high-quality requirements, have special aesthetic properties, and most importantly, are safe for human health.
Materials made from coniferous wood fully meet these requirements. This wood contains phytoncides - special substances that are very beneficial for human health. They help improve the health of the respiratory system, strengthen the human immune system, destroy viruses and germs, thereby protecting the body from various infections. In addition, people who live in houses built or decorated with materials made from softwood wood, as a rule, do not have problems with blood pressure and suffer virtually no headaches.
Modern people are overworked at work and live in constant stress, which has the most negative impact on their health. Therefore, it is very important to get proper rest. To have a quality vacation, you must take care of the interior of your home, making it as conducive to relaxation as possible. Materials made from coniferous wood help create a favorable atmosphere in the house. That is, construction and finishing materials made from coniferous wood contribute to the complete healing of the body, protecting against all sorts of health problems that are common in the modern world.
Advantages and disadvantages
Strength is the main advantage of larch. If wood remains in water for a long time, the material becomes hard as stone. The longer it sits, the stronger it becomes. Raw materials do not rot from moisture. The fire resistance characteristics of wood are 2 times higher than those of pine.
The wood is impregnated with resin with antibacterial and fungicidal properties. Larch is not dangerous for fungus and mold, which minimizes the use of chemicals before use. Due to the high content of sticky substance and gum, insects do not like the material.
Strong raw materials Source par-torg.com
Having positive properties, larch wood is difficult to process. Due to its density, it is difficult to drive a nail or drill a hole into dried raw materials, so only fresh components are used. A large amount of resin in the composition interferes with sawing logs. The material clogs the saw teeth and increases equipment wear. It is impossible to paint the surface without special degreasing.
Pros and cons Source sdelai-lestnicu.ru
Larch has a complex drying procedure. The process takes place in a soft (slow) mode with constant monitoring of ambient humidity and temperature. In production, special drying chambers are used for this. If you deviate from technological rules, the material cracks and warps.
Why choose Siberian larch?
It is not without reason that Siberian larch is considered one of the highest quality wood materials. It grows in very cold climates, which makes its wood denser than other species.
Here is a comparative description of coniferous wood:
| Larch | Pine | Spruce/fir | Cedar | |
| Hardness (Brinell coefficient) | 3,1 | 2,49 | 2,1 | 4 |
| Resistance to parasites | High | Average | Average | Average |
| Moisture resistance | High | Average | Average | Average |
In addition, larch is environmentally friendly because it grows in natural conditions far from large cities and industrial facilities. Due to this, Siberian larch is considered the most popular and expensive.
Tree varieties
The characteristics and appearance of the tree depend on the species. More than 20 varieties are found in nature, with 14 growing in Russia. Daurian larch is the most popular. The frost-resistant crop is undemanding to soil quality and grows everywhere except in flooded lands.
Popular wood variety Source сfermilon.ru
The Siberian species occupies 15% of the total volume of trees. The variety is easily recognized by the branches extending from the trunk at an angle of 90 degrees. The ends of the lashes smoothly bend towards the sky. The unpretentious larch grows even within the city. All parts of the tree are useful:
- bark;
- wood;
- resin;
- needles.
The European breed grows in the Western and Central parts of the mainland. The tallest species grow up to 50 m, although in Russia, due to the climate, they barely reach 25-30 m. Plants are used not only in the wood processing industry, but also for landscaping.
Medium-sized appearance Source newderevo.ru
Breed Features
Unlike other conifers, which remain green all year round, larch sheds its needles with the arrival of frost. Thanks to this, the plant retains moisture and easily survives frosts and temperature changes.
The tree has a powerful root system, which allows it to grow on almost any soil, both swampy and permafrost conditions. However, larch is a light-loving plant, and only with good lighting can strong, powerful trees be formed. The average lifespan of larch is 300-500 years. In favorable climatic conditions, the tree reaches 50 meters in height, and the girth of the trunk can be about 1 meter.
Currently, there are approximately 20 varieties of larch, but the most widespread in Russia and in the world is Siberian larch. This breed is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to soil composition and grows best in sunny, well-lit areas. It has increased endurance to cold, temperature changes, and wind. The Siberian variety of larch occupies almost 40% of the area of all forests in Russia; this variety is most widespread in Siberia, the Urals, Altai and the Far East.
Siberian larch has established itself as an excellent building material. Long, even tree trunks reach a height of up to 30-40 meters, thanks to which wood can be easily used to produce materials of various shapes and sizes for construction and decoration. Building materials made from larch are highly durable, and the structure of the wood looks very beautiful, which allows it to be used in interior decoration.
In addition, Siberian larch has unique medicinal properties. It has long been used in folk medicine as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. At the same time, almost all parts of the tree are used to make medicinal preparations - from buds and needles to bark.
Areas of use
Durable wood is classified as an elite species. Valuable raw materials are not destroyed by atmospheric agents, mold and insects, and their antiseptic properties are appropriate in medicine. Due to the characteristics of larch, the tree is used in various fields.
Furniture and utensils
Due to its high density, the dried material absorbs almost no water. The characteristics are appropriate when creating furniture that will be located in damp conditions. Interior items for baths and saunas do not crack due to temperature changes and constant moisture. Larch is used to make beautiful garden benches and tables.
Barrels made of strong wood are popular in winemaking. The parameters of the structures are not inferior to oak containers. Dense tanks are used for aging and long-term storage of elite alcoholic beverages.
Construction
Larch lumber is expensive, but very durable and strong. Construction raw materials can withstand any load, which is justified when creating ceilings (beams). Wood produces high-quality window and door blocks.
Profile beams and rounded logs are used in the construction of wooden houses and baths. When in contact with moisture, wood turns to stone, which is why it is used for pile buildings. Elements made of larch are appropriate when decorating spaces near swimming pools or the shores of bodies of water. Beams are not inferior in strength to metal profiles, so they are used in the construction of terraces and verandas.
Structure made of strong wood Source elgros.rf
Lining
Lightweight material is used for interior and exterior decoration. The wood has a beautiful light pattern that will make the room optically larger and more spacious. Popular types of raw materials:
- block house;
- brushed board;
- eurolining;
- calm.
Use of larch for medicinal purposes
Larch is a real storehouse of useful elements. It has a unique chemical composition. The plant contains such useful components as:
✓ Lignin is a substance that removes toxins and heavy metal salts from the body. Prevents the emergence and development of infections and parasites in the body.
✓ Carotene is a natural antioxidant that prevents the development of free radicals and reduces the possibility of cancer cells.
✓ Glycosides are substances with antimicrobial and vasodilating effects
✓ Organic acids – normalize the level of acidity in the body, improve digestion, and relieve inflammation.
✓ Anthocyanins are substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries. Improves cardiovascular activity and metabolic processes in the body.
✓ Gum is a substance that reduces cholesterol and toxins in the body. Restores the body after the action of antibiotics and medications.
Thanks to this unique composition, larch is actively used to treat many diseases. Doctors have identified the following beneficial properties of this breed:
✓ Neutralization of pathogenic microbes and bacteria;
✓ Relieving inflammation and irritation;
✓ Reducing pain;
✓ Accelerated wound healing;
✓ Strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
✓ Improving metabolic processes.
Almost all parts of the tree are used to prepare medicines: bark, needles, cones, resin, chaga and buds.
Pine needles are excellent for colds, coughs, and toothaches. The needles contain a large proportion of vitamin C, which helps improve immunity. With the help of a decoction of the bark, you can successfully treat inflammatory skin diseases and get rid of wounds and ulcers. It is also a good remedy for intestinal diseases. Delicious and healthy honey is prepared from larch cones, which helps fight coughs and colds and improves immunity. Larch resin is a popular folk remedy for treating gastrointestinal diseases and improving digestion. Resin-based ointments are used in the treatment of rheumatism and to improve blood circulation. Larch buds are used in decoctions and tinctures to treat the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Infusions, ointments, decoctions, and extracts are prepared from larch. Particularly popular are essential oils from larch, which help relieve pain symptoms, improve the functioning of the respiratory system and promote wound healing.
Reproduction
The main method of larch propagation is by sowing seeds. They can be taken from cones collected from an adult tree or bought in a store. Sow seeds, mixing them with sand, in prepared boxes; do this in winter.
Bright and charming autumn larch
Sprinkle the seeds thicker, they do not germinate well, and only with abundant sowing is there a chance of getting several successfully germinated future seedlings. In spring, the boxes should be taken to a sunny place and young plants should be watered regularly. Seedlings that have become stronger and have reached two years of age can be transferred to open ground.
Larch is transplanted into open ground at the age of two years.
Grafting cuttings of larch is problematic. As a rule, they do not take root well, but designers and gardeners take risks using this propagation method for special types of trees. The method is not suitable for open ground, but gives certain results in special nurseries.
Strength and Durability
Technical characteristics in the form of strength and durability of Siberian larch are among the highest among known tree species. The main determining factor here is density. The average reaches 660 kilograms per cubic meter. Compared to pine, larch products are 30-60% stronger. It is quite slightly superior to oak - the density of this tree is 690 kg/m3. The strength of the rock was also influenced by the significant width of the walls of the tracheids - the main structural units of wood.
High strength characteristics, water resistance and resistance to decay make Siberian larch very durable. The average service life of lumber from this species is tens of years.
Purchase rules
When choosing any larch material in Minsk, pay attention to the following indicators:
- Humidity level. It matters under what conditions the material will be used. If outdoors, then the larch board should be dried to 12-19%, indoors - 8-12%. Correctly selected humidity will help maintain the strength of the material and extend its service life.
- Appearance. Carefully inspect the larch board. It should be straight, of regular geometric shape, without chips or cracks. These parameters can be determined by eye, even without being a specialist.
- Grade. There are several types of wood: Extra, Prima, A, B, C and transitional types AB and BC. The main criterion for awarding a particular grade is the presence of knots. Thus, the Extra and Prima varieties are distinguished by the complete absence of any knots and other defects. This is the best material, but also the most expensive. It is extremely difficult to find it on sale; as a rule, you have to choose from grades A, B and C. Of these options, grade A will be the best. The minimum number of live knots is found here. But grade C is characterized by the presence of a large number of knots, including dead and falling out ones, as well as resin pockets, wormholes and other defects that are not outright defective. The undeniable advantage of grade C is its low cost, which allows the material to be used, for example, in country house construction. Moreover, external errors can be easily corrected with paint. The most popular is grade B. A minimum number of live knots is allowed here, and the price of such material will not hit the family budget. Carefully inspect the boards and beware of substitution of varieties.
- Place of purchase. By purchasing larch lumber from the manufacturer, you will save a significant amount without overpaying for transport and store markups. In addition, it is the manufacturer who will be able to provide competent advice and tell everything about their product. You can evaluate the quality of the product not only visually, but also check the humidity level using a special device. To begin with, you can familiarize yourself with the range of larch lumber on Starover.by.
Types of larch lumber
Due to its versatility, wood is in demand for any structure.
For interior and exterior decoration, the following are used: lining, block house, imitation timber and planken. For floor coverings - floor boards, for external flooring, terrace and deck boards made of Siberian larch. Glued and planed timber is used as load-bearing structures, and window timber is used for windows. For the production of furniture and packaging products, edged boards are most often used. Depending on the purpose, lumber has the appropriate width and thickness. Moldings, grades and materials for processing are selected individually.
How to distinguish quality materials
There are several generally accepted indicators of high quality wood as a building material. To determine durability and strength, you need to study the cross section of the trunk and pay special attention to the thickness of the annual rings, which should not exceed 3 mm. A significant number of knots reduces strength, disrupts uniformity, and makes processing difficult. Lumber, in particular boards (among which products made from spruce and pine are also in demand) must have the same geometry, and there must be no burrs, cracks, knots, wormholes or other defects on the surface.
