Origin
The European larch is a tree that grows up across the mountains of Central Europe countries, besides the Alps, the Carpathians and some zones from the north of Poland and the south of Lithuania. It is a tree really cold tolerant, capable to stand temperatures down to -50 degrees.
Colour
Larchwood has either coffee colour or a reddish one, specially the heartwood, with some thin and wavy rings on the surface. Generally, the sapwood is clearly differentiated from the heartwood, because it is thinner and with a yellower or whiter colour.
Texture
Larchwood is hard, with a fine texture impregnated in resin, which makes it practically incorruptible and tolerant to any temperature and atmosphere. Larchwood has moderate weight, with a density that can reach the 500 kg/m3 when it gets dry.
Durability
The tree grows up in landscapes where the conditions can be extreme, like acid grounds made from volcanic ash, areas with abundant rainfall and snow, or low grounds with huge humidity. Therefore, larchwood has quite good quality and it barely gets bent or spoiled. Besides, it is hugely resistant not only to the weather, but also to insects attack, so it can last indefinitely.
Features
Larchwood uses to adopt a very clear colour when it is used to construct, although with time it acquires a dun colour very elegant. Besides, the resin the surface contains has same properties than silicone and covers the grooves, protecting the material from air and water, although it can be also flammable.
Applications
Thanks to its big properties, larchwood is very suitable for construction structures, especially to build solid armors and ships, as well as some houses. Also it has some other applications in the carpentry sector, and it can be used to make barrels.