What kind of wood is larch. Beneficial features. Larch. wood properties

Larch forests are considered to be very common in our country; they occupy at least one third of all forest areas found in the central region, in the east, west and north.
Siberian larch is considered the most suitable for the construction and production of wood products. This breed tree is widespread in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk region, and Siberian larch grows unevenly in these regions. In particular, in the region of the Angara region, the number of larch gradually increases from the southwest to the northeast, and in the regions of the Eastern Sayan and the Lena-Angara plateau, Siberian larch grows in the lower part of the mountain slopes. It can also be found on other elements of the relief.
Within its habitat, Siberian larch is found almost everywhere. However, in areas with more warm climate larch gives way to cedar, and pine is more common on sandy soils.
The life span of larch is about 450 years. Moreover, during this time, the height of the tree can reach 45 meters, the diameter of the trunk is about 1.8 meters. However, in areas with more favorable habitat conditions, one can also find larger specimens - trees reaching 50 - 60 meters in height, with a trunk diameter of about 2.5 meters.
It is rather difficult to determine the age of larch, because old trees are often affected by diseases such as, for example, heart rot. In nature, there are individual specimens whose age is more than 1000 years, although there are very few such trees today. It is rare to find larch about 700 - 900 years old, but trees whose age is 400 - 500 years old are quite common, and they are distinguished by a healthy root system, intact crown, without any signs of aging.
Larch is a monoecious tree, on which flowers of different sexes grow. Male and female inflorescences are located close to each other, this is necessary, since larch seeds that do not have air sacs are poorly tolerated by the wind, which greatly complicates pollination. However, larch is prone to self-pollination, which leads to the formation of a large number of empty seeds. This phenomenon is especially common in foreign forests, where larch grows in in large numbers.
The pollination period for larch begins in May, at the same time when the needles bloom. Seeds ripen in September. It should be noted that the cones of the tree open gradually, so the seeds can spill out throughout the year. The cones stay on the branches for about 3-4 years, and the seeds can be found not only in young cones, which can be identified by a lighter color, but also in old ones.
At good conditions When growing, larch begins to produce seeds at the age of 15-20 years, however, if conditions worsen, the age of seeding may come later.
Crop years in larch occur about once every 3 to 5 years. The average harvest can be observed with approximately the same frequency. But the complete absence of a crop is extremely rare. Of course, the yield depends on the climatic conditions of the region where the tree grows. In particular, in regions with a harsh climate, harvest years are observed somewhat less frequently. However, it should be noted that seeding can occur only in harvest years, this circumstance is influenced by various factors. In particular, larch has a low degree of germination, and birds and mammals that prefer larch seeds to seeds of other tree species destroy a significant part of the crop.

Where is larch used?
Larch is a unique tree species that has numerous useful properties and is widely used in various economic activity. For example, the density of larch wood is practically not inferior to oak wood, and larch, subject to high-quality drying, is practically not subject to decay, which cannot be said about other types of wood. All this makes larch buildings strong and durable.
Larch is also used in marine shipbuilding. The fact is that its wood contains a special substance - gum, which protects wood from the negative effects of water, protects it from marine animals that can cut through any other wood, concrete, as well as soft rocks.
Larch breed has some disadvantages. In particular, it is difficult to process, and if dried incorrectly ( quick drying in the sun), may warp or crack. This is due to the gum contained in the composition of the wood. In order to prevent this from happening, larch must be kept indoors for some time. a high degree humidity, or soak until the gum is completely removed.
Larch is used not only in construction, but also in pulp and paper production. However, properties such as rock hardness and low cellulose content make this use very limited.
Larch is also used in medicine. In particular, the needles of the tree are rich in vitamin C, from the fruiting bodies formed when the wood-forming fungus, the “larch sponge”, is exposed to the wood, a bitter-tasting ointment is obtained that has certain medicinal properties.
Larch is widely used in the production of paints and varnishes, as well as in soap making. This becomes possible due to the high content of resins in larch, which have the properties necessary for these areas of production. However, the content of resins in each particular tree is not the same, some trunks give a very small yield of resin, make it difficult for the tree to tap, and hence the possibility of its use.
Larch has such advantages as powerful root system tree, the ability to quickly grow in height, unpretentiousness and the ability to grow even in the most severe climatic conditions. Due to these advantages, larch is excellent for purposes such as field afforestation, as well as planting trees to protect soil from erosion.

Larch is a coniferous tree that lives for about 600 years and reaches a height of 45-50 meters. Family Pinaceae Lindl. Varieties:

• Larix sibirica Ledeb. - Siberian larch;
• LarixdahuricaTurcz. exTrautv - Dahurian larch;
• Larix decidua Mill. - European larch, falling;
• Larix maritima Sukacz - Seaside larch;
• Larix olgensis A. Henry - Olginskaya larch;
• Larix Czekanowskii Sz - Czekanowsky larch;
• Larix SukaczewiiDjil. Dyl. - Sukachev's larch.

This tree is 30% denser and stronger, more resistant to dampness and damage by putrefactive fungi. Siberians say that one larch can outdo two or three pine trees. A larch building can stand for two or three centuries. But entirely larch houses were rarely cut down because of the hardness of the wood - only a few lower crowns were laid from larch logs.

Larch in nature

Larch can be in water for many centuries. lying down for a long time in water becomes very hard. That is why she went to the construction of bridges, piers and moorings. It was on larch piles that I decided to put on the marshy soils of St. Petersburg Saint Isaac's Cathedral its creator Montferrand. Telegraph poles, antennas, sleepers, mine racks, the most important wooden structures and parts for ships, and end bridges were made from larch wood.

Until the middle of the XIX century. in Russia, it was forbidden by law to sell larch wood to private individuals - too much of it was required for military and commercial shipbuilding (and even now there are restrictions on its use). An exception was made during the construction Winter Palace, St. Basil's Cathedral, the cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin, the Manezh (now the Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow), where the frames and ceilings were made of larch wood.

Festive and ritual utensils were cut down from the root wood. A ladle with a capacity of one and a half buckets is stored in Zagorsk. The ladle was hollowed out in the 18th century. from the root of larch by the Volga region master. The wood of this tree is also "musical". Its high acoustic data were used in the 17th century. in the manufacture of an organ Polish city Kazimierz.

On old trees, you can find tinder fungi, or a larch sponge. Evenks used it for washing and washing clothes. Larch soap gives abundant foam, easily washing away dirt. A rich red dye for fabrics was also prepared from the sponge. In terms of the content of resinous substances, the larch sponge has no equal. Before the revolution, it was exported in large quantities abroad, and now it continues to be exported. Also in Ancient Rome"White Agaricus" - as the Romans called the larch sponge - was used as a valuable medicinal raw material. exported from northern countries the sponge was highly valued in Arabic medicine. For the needs of modern medicine, agaric acid is extracted from it. Durable as amber, larch gum-resin refreshes the mouth, cleans teeth well and strengthens gums. The bark of the tree is also a valuable raw material. Taiga residents get red-brown paint from it. Strong textile dyes are produced from larch bark, essential oils and tannins.

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) belongs to the pine family. Its needles are soft and fall off every autumn like foliage, hence the name of the tree. Larch grows throughout Russia, but most valuable breed found in Siberia. The tree has high, large, even trunks with low branchiness. During the period of growth, which lasts 100 years, it reaches 50 meters in height.

larch branches

Siberian larch is very durable material. Its density depends on humidity. With natural humidity, its density ranges from 900 to 1100 kg/m3. At a moisture content of 12%, its density is about 700-800 kg/m3. Larch wood is one of the best in terms of weather resistance. As long-term studies have shown, due to the combination of high density and high resin content, as well as the specific composition of the resin, it is not only in the first place in terms of resistance to decay, but is twice as resistant to such species as oak, ash and pine. In addition, it is practically not subject to damage by insects and rodents. Over time, larch becomes only stronger.

In a relationship maximum age, to which this forest giant can live, there is no reliable information. During the construction of the Great Siberian Way, a 425-year-old larch was found. However, there is information that in the Bratsk region there are still living trees that are more than 10 centuries old! For comparison: pine lives about 400 years.

Characteristics of a larch tree

A tree up to 30-50 m high, a trunk diameter of 80-180 cm. The trunk diameter of a larch butt can reach up to 2.5 m. unlike European larch, it does not bend. In old trees, the branches depart from the trunk at almost a right angle, curving like a candelabra.

Characteristics of larch wood

The breed is sound. The core is intensely stained reddish-brown. The sapwood is relatively narrow (up to 20 annual layers) white or slightly yellowish with a slight greenish tint. The boundary between the heartwood and sapwood is sharply expressed in the cross section. Annual layers are well distinguished on all three sections and consist of dark colored (dark brown) and well-defined late wood and lighter early wood. The boundary between the annual layers, as well as the transition from early to late wood, are distinctly sharp. Resin passages are few and small, often visible and with great difficulty. Due to the well-visible fairly wide annual layers and the straightness of the trunks, the wood appears striped in a radial section. Knots with a horizontal direction are scattered singly, randomly. The texture is interesting, looks good under the varnish. The strength of the root wood is much higher than the stem wood, and the curly texture gives it a special expressiveness. 0.54%).

Strength. The wood is strong. At 12% humidity, the compressive strength along the fibers is 50-60 MPa, with static bending - 90-100 MPa; end hardness 37 MPa.

Fortitude. Wood does not rot.

Technological properties. Difficult to process with conventional cutting tools. When sawing, the tools are tarred.

Application. It is used in underwater structures, goes to sewer pipes, window frames, construction, ornamental and shipbuilding logs, balance sheets, sleepers, power line poles, mine stand. In the furniture and plywood industry, this breed also occupies a worthy place.

Larch wood is more durable than oak and is 96 MPa by 94 MPa with almost the same density. hallmark larch wood is also a characteristic structure and beautiful coloring.

In terms of structure, larch belongs to the heartwood species. Its heartwood has a reddish color, and the sapwood is presented in the form of a narrow strip with clear contours of white or yellowish color. Annual rings are clearly visible, the boundary between early and late wood is pronounced. The wood has a beautiful texture. The reason for this is the different color of the sound and sapwood parts of larch, as well as the fact that there are very few knots in its structure.

It has an uneven density, which is due to big difference density of layers of early and late wood. Dense larch wood when freshly cut has a water absorption of 126%. Depending on the time of year and time of day, the humidity of a growing tree changes its values. True, in a small range, the reason for which is again high density.

The low water absorption values ​​of larch make it possible to use its wood for the manufacture of high quality parquet boards. Larch tends to significantly reduce its volume after drying. Due to the low water permeability of the wood, the drying process itself differs from the drying of other types of wood. Larch warps and cracks during drying, because internal stress increases very much.

The climatic conditions in which the tree grows also affect physical properties wood. So, for example, larch grown in the European climate has a much lower density than that grown in Altai or the Urals.

Larch wood is almost impossible to impregnate with any protective properties. This is due to the high density and low air and moisture conductivity.

Physico- mechanical properties hardwood allows you to use it in many ways. The processing technology is specific. It is very heavily impregnated with resins, and when sawing, it is often necessary to clean the blades of saw cutters from resin. Before painting and sanding finished larch products, upper layer must be degreased and cleaned of resin, otherwise it will not be possible to obtain desired result. But after the resin cleaning procedures, larch wood can be easily painted and polished.

Larch wood has unique properties, for which it is especially valued, the most important of them:

• Larch has a very high resistance to fungal diseases and other biological damage. Moreover, the most biological stability is observed in the lower basal part of the trunk.
• The resin impregnated with larch has very strong bactericidal properties. Now pharmacies have begun to sell it as “larch sulfur”, and earlier, and in some places even now, people willingly collected it and melted it, getting an unusually fragrant and healthy “chewing” gum. But that's not the point. Due to this resin, the tree does not require chemical processing from damage by harmful insects.
• Under prolonged exposure to water, the hardness of larch increases, the tree acquires the hardness of stone. At the same time, the time spent by the tree in the water also works to increase its strength. In Venice and Amsterdam, houses stand right in the water on larch pile foundations. That is, without any reservations, we can say that this tree gains strength over the years and has passed more than a thousand-year test of time.
• Its fire resistance in comparison with other conifers is much higher. So, in relation to pine, this figure is 2 times higher.

Among all coniferous tree species harvested in Russia, larch is clearly the leader in terms of its physical, mechanical and decorative properties, and within its Russian varieties, Dahurian larch is considered the most valuable. It surpasses other types in terms of strength and decorative characteristics. The trunks grow over 45 meters high and the taper is 1.2%.

Areas of use of larch wood

Remarkable properties of larch wood - the reason a wide range its use in industry. Construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing musical instruments, production of parquet, glued beams, sleepers during construction railway tracks, poles-supports of power lines - it is impossible to list all the possibilities of using this wood.

Larch in historical buildings

• In the palace of Count Sheremetyev, larch parquet.
• In Moscow, in the Kremlin cathedrals and St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as in the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg, window frames and ceilings were made from it.
• The Olympic cycle track in Krylatskoye - the tracks are built of larch.
• Larch was used in the manufacture of an organ in Kazimierz (Poland) as early as the 17th century, due to the high acoustic properties of its wood.
• A ladle has been preserved in the city of Zagorsk self made, which is hollowed out from the root of a larch. The wood of its root system is the most decorative. The size of the roots is amazing. So, this bucket, which is hollowed out from the root, has a volume of more than 15 liters.
• Underwater piles on which buildings in Venice and Amsterdam stand.

Application in construction and industry

Demand for this wood is not decreasing and is always high. Residents especially liked this type of wood. Western Europe. It goes on sale not only in the form of lumber of various plans, but also in the form of logs (roundwood).

Modern builders use it when equipping piers, pools, loggias and balconies, shower rooms, wall panels and furniture. In Russia, when building wooden houses, they try to tie the lower crowns of the house from larch. If a wooden bath is being built, then the use of larch in the lower crowns has become the rule.

Not only the wood itself is used. Valuable raw materials are resin and larch bark. Tannins, essential oils and dyes are produced from the bark, and larch sulfur is a taiga chewing gum that has antibacterial and healing properties.

Larch wood is quite strong and durable. In terms of hardness, it can be equated to oak wood. Materials from this tree are subject to warping to a small extent, and therefore, throughout for long years retain their original appearance. However, the qualities of larch make it possible to produce high-quality finishing materials that are quite durable, resistant to decay, damage by insects and resistant to stress.

Boards and beams from this tree species are extremely durable. Larch construction and lumber are used in a wide variety of conditions: from the construction of bathhouses, piers, terraces and ending with sleepers and mechanical engineering. Larch floors will serve for many years and delight with the natural beauty of natural wood.

This building material is elite and has properties that distinguish it favorably from other types of wood. The main advantages of larch wooden houses are fire resistance, resistance to insects and microorganisms, high hardness of the material, enormous health benefits, texture expressiveness, as well as an acceptable cost of turnkey construction services.

This wood contains antiseptic substances that create a natural barrier against rot, decay, blue stain, and pests.

A classic flooring can be called a deck board made of larch. It is not grooved and has rounded chamfers on the edges of the front side of the product. Most often it is laid with small gaps between the boards. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor installations.

The deck board, like garden parquet, can be used in the course of arranging garden paths and covering areas that are adjacent to the pool.

Application areas of larch

1. rounded log obtained in the following way: tree trunks, having previously been cleaned of bark, are passed through machines with a cutter system, turning them into cylinders with a carefully processed surface. Then the logs are cut to size, and grooves, spikes and locks (crown cups) are made, antiseptic.
2. Production glued profiled timber from larch is carried out by the following technology: lumber is dried in drying chambers to a furniture moisture content of 8-10%, lamellas are calibrated on four sides to obtain accurate geometry, sorted and glued with special environmental adhesives on a powerful hydraulic press.
3. Profiled timber natural humidity is used in the construction of any wooden houses, as well as baths.
4. Larch floor board- this is a molded product grooved on two opposite long sides, which is made on high-precision woodworking equipment from selected boards of radial and tangential cuts. The moisture content of a larch floorboard does not exceed 10%.
5. Name "lining" appeared at a time when wagon manufacturers used a board with a double-sided sample for sheathing (so that there were no gaps in the walls of the wagons). Since then, the name has been fixed, although it is more correct to call the lining - a sheathing board (that's what it is called in technical documents). Clapboard can be called both a traditional lining, and a blockhouse and a board with a selected quarter.
6. Terrace board(aka “anti-slip”, velveteen, deck board modification) has managed to establish itself as a practical and reliable material for outdoor flooring - terraces, balconies, verandas, as well as in baths, pools, saunas.

Types of larch

• Larix gmelinii (Rupr. ) Rupr.– Gmelin larch =
  • Larix gmelinii var. gmelini =
    • Larix amurensis Kolesn.— Amur larch
    • Larix cajanderi Mayr - Cajander Larch
    • Larix kamtschatica (Rupr. ) Carriere– Kamchatka larch
  • Larix gmelinii var. japonica =
    • Larix kurilensis Mayr – Kuril larch
  • Larix gmelinii var. olgensis =
    • Larix olgensis A.Henry– Olginskaya larch
    • Larix Koreana Nakai — Korean larch, nom. nud.
  • Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii
• Larix komarovii Kolesn.— Larch Komarov
• Larix maritima Sukaczev— Seaside larch
• Larix middendorffii Kolesn.– Middendorf Larch
• Larix ochotensis Kolesn.– Okhotsk larch

About one and a half dozen species are generally recognized:

• Larix czekanowskii Szafer — Larch Chekanovsky
• Larix decidua Mill.- European larch, or Falling larch
• Larix gmelinii (Rupr. ) Rupr.– Larch Gmelin
• Larix griffithii Hook.f.- Griffith Larch
• Larix kaempferi (Lamb. ) Carriere- Larch thin-scaly, or Larch thin-scaled, or Japanese larch, or Kaempfer larch
• Larix kongboensis R.R. Mill
• Larix laricina (Du Roi K.Koch– American larch
• Larix lubarskii Sukaczev– Lubarsky larch
• Larix lyallii Parl.- Lyell Larch
• Larix mastersiana Rehder & E.H.Wilson — Larch Masters
• Larix×marschlinsii Coaz
• Larix occidentalis Nutt.– Western larch
• Larix potaninii Batalin- Larch Potanin
• Larix sibirica ledeb.– Siberian larch

Useful tables

Shrinkage coefficients of larch wood from different areas of growth

Average statistical data on stocks of standing larch in the territory of the Russian Federation

Physical and mechanical properties of coniferous wood of various species at a moisture content of 10 - 12%

Influence of geographical, natural conditions on the physical and mechanical properties of larch wood

(wood moisture 10 - 12%)

Relative volume of parts of a growing tree

Durability of wood of various species depending on service conditions

Biostability of larch wood

(lat. Lárix) - a genus of woody plants of the pine family, one of the most common species coniferous trees. Larch - single genus conifers, in which the needles fall for the winter. However, larch seedlings retain needles throughout the year. If we take into account that in their “childhood” trees show the features of the most ancient forms, it can be assumed that the deciduousness of larch is a secondary quality. Probably, its ancestors were evergreen trees, and the ability to drop foliage in autumn arose as a result of adaptation to a harsh climate (with frosts up to 60 ° C). Due to its exceptional frost resistance and unpretentiousness, larch is very widespread.

About 20 species of larch grow in cold and temperate zones Europe, Asia and North America. The most ancient species grow in mountain systems Himalayas, Eastern Tibet and the Cordeliers. In Russia, there are 6-7 species and several hybrid forms that have arisen at the junctions of ranges. The participation of larch in the species composition of forests increases with the advancement to the north. 14 species of larch grow in Russia. Of these species, the largest economic importance have Dahurian and Siberian. Larch in Russia occupies the most large areas among all species - about 40% of the forest area and 33% of our total timber stock is concentrated in them. In harsh climatic conditions, larch reaches operational performance only by 150-200 years.

Larch is a monoecious tree, usually large, up to 35–50 m high and up to 1 m in diameter. and short shoots with bunches of needles (20-40 each).

Larch forests (larches, listvyaga) - light coniferous pure or mixed forests with the main species (dominant) larch. The largest areas are occupied by Northern Eurasia, North America(Canada), small areas- in Central and East Asia(China) and Western Europe. In Russia - the bulk in Western and Eastern Siberia, in the Urals, in the mountains of Southern Siberia and Transbaikalia, on Far East. In the northwestern regions of the European part of Russia, larch forests are found in small areas.

Larch forests are distributed in various climatic and soil conditions, from the arid central regions of Asia, where they border on the steppes, to the forest-tundra and the upper forest line in the mountains. Up to 80% of deciduous forests grow in the zone of continuous permafrost. Larch forests are the most common type of vegetation cover in Russia. Their appearance varies significantly from region to region.

Characteristics of larch wood

Larch wood is characterized by increased strength compared to oak - 96 MPa by 94 MPa. The density of the Siberian larch is 620-725 kg/m3 at a humidity of up to 12%, which is not much inferior to the density of oak 670-720 kg/m3. In addition to its special strength and resistance to external influences, it is characterized by good color and structure.

Larch belongs to the heartwood species. It has a reddish-brown heart and sharply limited narrow white or slightly yellowish sapwood, clearly visible annual layers with a clear boundary between early and late wood.

The texture of larch is determined on longitudinal sections by the width of annual layers, the difference in color of late and early wood, as well as the heartwood and sapwood. The texture on tangential sections is especially rich and beautiful. The wood is slightly knotty. Larch wood has a low uniform density, i.e. it is characterized by a significant difference in density between late and early wood.

Freshly cut larch wood has a water absorption moisture content of 126%. Just like in other species, a growing larch tree exhibits seasonal and daily fluctuations in humidity, which, while maintaining the general pattern, manifest themselves to a much lesser extent.

Moisture absorption and water absorption of larch wood is significantly lower than that of pine due to its greater density. When using protective coatings, products made from it practically do not change their moisture content during operation, so larch can be used for parquet. The moisture conductivity of larch is also significantly lower than that of pine, spruce and birch, which requires a special approach to drying larch lumber.

Larch belongs to the species with strong shrinkage. Significantly more than that of pine and spruce, and the internal stress that occurs during the drying process of larch lumber. Therefore, such lumber is more prone to cracking and warping during the drying process than other softwoods.

The density of wood significantly depends on the type and place of growth. The most dense wood is found in deciduous timber obtained in Altai, followed by the Urals and the Urals. European larch has the lowest density.

The air permeability of larch wood (core) is the lowest among all our species. The same can be said about water permeability. Due to this, larch wood is difficult to impregnate with various protective qualities.

In addition to the beautiful texture and color, larch has very high strength characteristics. It is slightly inferior in these indicators only to hardwood species. Its mechanical properties also significantly depend on the species and place of growth.

Possessing high physical and mechanical properties, larch wood, however, requires a certain technological approach in its processing. Saw blades are heavily tarred when sawing. It is difficult to process with a conventional tool, but it is well polished and painted (after deresining the surface.)

Larch harvested in Altai, in the regions of the Baikal region, in the upper reaches of the Lena and Angara have the best qualities. Larch wood belongs to the group resistant to biological impact (fungal attack). Moreover, biostability increases with the age of the tree. More biostable wood in the lower (butt) part of the trunk.

Prolonged exposure to water leads to a noticeable increase in larch hardness. During the construction of Venice, about 400 thousand pieces of larch piles were hammered to strengthen the foundations of various structures. In 1827, i.e. after 1000 - 1400 years, part of the piles was examined. In conclusion about their strength, it is said that the piles from the larch forest, on which the underwater part of the city is based, seem to have turned to stone. The wood has become so hard that both the ax and the saw can hardly take it.

Due to the nature of the resin that impregnates larch, it is not attacked by carpenter insects, and also allows it to be used without any chemical treatment in cases where other species are prone to rot.

Fire resistance of larch wood, according to research conducted by the Moscow State University forests, about twice as high as that of pine wood.

Daurian larch has valuable properties. This is a sound rock with resin passages. The sapwood is narrow white color with a slight brownish tint; the heartwood is reddish-brown, sharply different from the sapwood. Annual layers are very well distinguished in all cuts due to the sharp difference between early and late wood and their number in one centimeter is 12-16 pieces. Larch wood in terms of physical and mechanical properties ranks first among Russian conifers, while Dahurian larch gives wood with higher physical and mechanical properties (by 10%) than Siberian larch. The height of the trunk is up to 46 meters, the taper is 1.2%.

The use of larch wood

Larch wood is used in small shipbuilding, construction, carpentry - elements of building structures, wall beams, parquet, moldings, window frames, sleepers and power line poles.

Piles and other elements of hydraulic structures are made of larch, which serve indefinitely. One example is Venice, which has already been mentioned above. Another example - the piles of the Troyan bridge across the Danube stood for 1800 years.

The parquet of the Ostankino Palace of Counts Sheremetyevs, the window frames of the Winter Palace prove that larch wood can serve for many years without the use of special antiseptics.

At present, a technology has been developed for the production of glued laminated timber and larch furniture panels. Larch wood in glued structures can be combined with pine (under certain conditions).

The path of the Olympic cycle track in Krylatskoye is made of larch.

Larch wood, both in the form of round timber and sawn timber, is in steady demand on the Western European market. Moreover, prices for larch wood are practically not subject to seasonal fluctuations and remain stably high.

Larch wood is used: for equipping swimming pools, beaches, boat moorings, balconies, loggias, terraces, showers, built-in equipment cladding, partition cabinets, dressing rooms, panels, etc.

The cost of products or structures made of larch wood is higher than that of pine, but the products are much more durable. The strength of the root wood is much higher than the stem wood, and the curly texture gives it a special expressiveness. Festive and ritual utensils were cut down from the root wood. A ladle with a capacity of one and a half buckets is stored in Zagorsk. The ladle was hollowed out in the 18th century. from the root of a larch by a certain Volga master.

Until the middle of the XIX century. in Russia, it was forbidden by law to sell larch wood to private individuals - too much of it was required for military and commercial shipbuilding (and even now there are restrictions on its use). An exception was made during the construction of the Winter Palace, St. Basil's Cathedral, the cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin, the Manezh (now the Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow), where the frames and ceilings were made of larch wood.

The high acoustic data of larch were used in the 17th century. in the manufacture of an organ in the Polish city of Kazimierz.

On old trees, you can find tinder fungi, or a larch sponge. Evenks used it for washing and washing clothes. Larch soap gives abundant foam, easily washing away dirt. A rich red dye for fabrics was also prepared from the sponge. In terms of the content of resinous substances, the larch sponge has no equal. Before the revolution, it was exported in large quantities abroad, and now it continues to be exported. Even in ancient Rome, "white agaricus" - as the Romans called the larch sponge - was used as a valuable medicinal raw material. Exported from the northern countries, the sponge was highly valued in Arabic medicine. For the needs of modern medicine, agaric acid is extracted from it.

Durable as amber, larch resin refreshes the mouth, cleans teeth well and strengthens gums.

The bark of the tree is also a valuable raw material. Taiga residents a red-brown dye is obtained from it. Strong textile dyes are produced from larch bark, essential oils and tannins are extracted.

In the epic tales of the Mansi peoples, larch was revered as a symbol of power, longevity and ever-renewing life. Larch is a soothing tree. It heals nervous disorders, especially those accompanied by bouts of melancholy and depression. Medicinal properties larches are determined by biologically active substances - antioxidants that help the body fight aging and various diseases, especially under conditions of stress, polluted environment, radiation.