WOOD SPECIES · Softwood
European larch: density, weight and properties
Larix decidua
European larch (Larix decidua) averages 600 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content, according to CIRAD’s Tropix database. The figures below are averages for clear, mature wood; individual boards vary with origin, growth and moisture.
Key figures
- Density at 12% moisture
- 600 kg/m³Average for mature wood; varies with origin and growth
- Monnin hardness at 12%
- 3.8French surface-hardness index; not convertible to Janka
- Bending strength (modulus of rupture)
- 90 MPa
- Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
- 11,800 MPa
- Compression parallel to grain
- 52 MPa
- Tangential shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 8.2%
- Radial shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 4.2%
- Fibre saturation point
- 26%
Weight at 12% moisture content
Volume × 600 kg/m³, the same calculation as the weight calculator. Green or wet wood weighs considerably more.
| Piece | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic metre | 1,000 × 1,000 × 1,000 mm | 600 kg |
| 1 board foot | 12 × 12 × 1 in | 1.42 kg |
| 1×4 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 2.48 kg |
| 1×6 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 5 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 3.89 kg |
| 2×4 board, 8 ft | 1 1/2 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 4.96 kg |
| 2×6 board, 10 ft | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in actual × 10 ft | 9.73 kg |
Movement across the width
How much a board 11 1/4 in (286 mm) wide changes when its moisture content moves by a few percentage points. The estimate uses the total shrinkage above and a linear relation below the fibre saturation point of 26% (Wood Handbook Eq. 4-9). Flat-sawn boards move with tangential shrinkage, quartersawn boards with radial shrinkage.
| Moisture change | Flat-sawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 3 percentage points | 2.7 mm (0.106 in) | 1.4 mm (0.055 in) |
| 6 percentage points | 5.4 mm (0.213 in) | 2.8 mm (0.109 in) |
Wood movement across the grain · Moisture content and acclimatising wood
Natural durability
Durability of the heartwood against wood-decay fungi: class 3–4 on the EN 350 scale from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable), as reported by Tropix. The rating applies to heartwood only.
Working and finishing
Easy to saw, but resin clogs blades and makes gluing difficult; Tropix notes that drying above 70 °C largely solves the gluing problem. Pilot holes are needed for nails and screws. Outdoor use without treatment applies to heartwood with the sapwood removed.
Typical uses
- Cladding and siding
- Exterior joinery (windows and doors)
- Flooring
- Glued-laminated timber
- Panelling
- Furniture
Calculate with this material
Species with similar density
- Eucalyptus grandis 600 kg/m³
- Mahogany (Swietenia) 600 kg/m³
- Black walnut 616 kg/m³
Sources & references
Uses and working notes summarise the cited source. Check the moisture content, grade and origin of the wood you actually buy.