Siberian Larch vs European Larch

[bludue]

Hi Everyone,

I've got a Swedish build folkboat planked in larch on which I have to do a few repairs. I've been looking around for some European Larch (I'm in Germay), but the best I can find around here is Siberian Larch, which is supposed to be a close relative (at least biologically).
Can anybody comment on how similar the properties of two woods (European vs Siberian larch) are? Could you scarf in a section, or make a Dutchman using Siberian larch on a boat planked in European Larch, or is this asking for trouble?

Alternatively if anyone can suggest a supplier of European larch in Germany (or a surrounding country), that would be great!

Thanks in advance for your help,

manu

[Martin Nelson]

Check issue 211. P 101, Richard Jagels talks about larch. It seems from this article that siberian larch will work. My guess is that it is fairly similar. One caution is that you should go for narrow growth rings, (not wide fast growing).

[Scot L T]

For most purposes they are the same in my experience. We used it 20 years ago when I was in woodworking school and I've used it occasionally since then for different projects. A couple things to note, it tends to warp when seasoning and doesn't steam bend well. But is very rot resistant and easy to work with when well seasoned.

The Siberian might be a little tougher due to where it mostly grows. The grain may be tighter and can be a slightly different color (yellow or brownish-yellow).

You should be fine scarfing in a piece.

[IgorV]

Hi,

I'm about to start building my first (clinker built) boat and roughly one year ago I was in a similar dilemma, decided to use siberian larch planks in the end, for some practical reasons. They (European and siberian larch) share almost the same characteristics, but due to slower growth in harsh conditions siberian larch is a bit heavier, denser and harder wood. It is a slightly better version of european larch in my opinion. Where they differ most is the color and appearance, siberian larch is pale in comparison and does not develop the intense coloration. It also looks a bit more elegant due to very thin growth rings. If the planks are visible they will be clearly different so I would go for the same wood. Siberian larch is easier to get, I think this has to do with the size of the area from which the wood is coming. You have to carefully check and select each board to make sure it is as knot free as possible and that it is radially cut. Up to 4m length the supply is very good, if you look for longer boards it gets more complicated. Scarfing is always an option, it's cheaper & faster.

I know a source of quality alpine larch in Austria (4m, 6m) if you're interested, might be worth checking if they deliver to Germany. My first post here!

Regards,
Igor

[bludue]

Thanks a lot for the great replies!
It looks like I will be OK going with Siberian Larch then.

Igor, Welcome to the forum! (I'm pretty new here myself). For now I should be OK with what I can get locally (it's full of knots, but I only need a few short pieces), but I'd still be interested in getting your suppliers details in case I need some longer lengths in the future.

Thanks,

manu

[IgorV]

Thanks Manu, I'll send you the details in a pm. Good luck with your project!
Regards,
Igor

[Ruud]

Hi Manu,

I have some good experience with www.sommerfeld-thiele.de But I am not sure if they have Larch. But if the quality is certainly better then the Bauhaus/Obi/Hornbach stuff.

Igor who is your source for Larch in Austria?

[IgorV]

Hi,
it's Hechenblaickner (http://www.heholz.at) in Graz, they have very good supply and great customer service.

Regards,
Igor