Is Larch a native to New Zealand timbers?

Source Location: Originated in Europe and Russia; sourced Island of New Zealand. Appearance: Heartwood is an attractive yellowish brown, the sapwood a paler brown with prominent growth rings similar to that of New Zealand Oregon. ...

1. Where is the larch tree native to?
2. Does larch grow in NZ?
3. What is the most commonly grown timber in New Zealand?
4. What is so special about about the larch trees?
5. What kind of wood is larch?
6. What is larch timber?
7. Is larch a good firewood?
8. How heavy is Siberian larch?
9. Is Siberian larch sustainable?
10. What is the hardest wood in New Zealand?
11. Why is NZ short of timber?
12. Can you prune a larch tree?
13. How do you tell if a tree is a larch?
14. Is larch wood hard or soft?

Where is the larch tree native to?

Native to many parts of Northern Europe and Asia as well as Northern parts of North America, larches are happiest in cold climates. They grow best in mountainous areas but tolerate any cool climate with plenty of moisture.

Does larch grow in NZ?

Both European larch (Larix decidua) and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) have been widely planted in New Zealand, with 3400 ha in plantations in 1988 (Miller & Knowles, 1988). Larch has proven to be a long lived species in New Zealand and can grow into large trees (Miller & Knowles, 1988).

What is the most commonly grown timber in New Zealand?

Douglas fir, which comprises around six per cent of the New Zealand exotic timber plantation, has been used as untreated framing timber for over 70 years.

What is so special about about the larch trees?

Larch trees can lose much of their canopy and still regrow needles the following year. Its bark is also thick and protects the stem from fire. All these reasons give western larch a competitive advantage over other conifers where it grows – and we can enjoy its autumn color.

What kind of wood is larch?

Like pine, cedar, and spruce, larch lumber is considered softwood. These wood products come from coniferous trees, so they are often in stock and reasonably priced. Durable and insect-resistant, larch also has a very appealing golden color with interesting patterns.

What is larch timber?

Larch timber comes from well managed forest and is one of the most durable softwood species. It has a very warm colour and texture. Larch is in great demand for use in building due to being tough, waterproof and high durable qualities: top quality and knot free timber.

Is larch a good firewood?

Larch is plentiful, quick growing and much lower priced. It also comes into us in much more efficient log sizes; good diameters and very straight. ... These properties of larch, allied to it's high burning quality, make it, in our opinion, one of the best firewood species out there.

How heavy is Siberian larch?

It is a very resinous wood, with clearly marked annual rings. It has a straight grain, a fine, uniform texture and is rather heavy, weighing 590 kg/m³ when dried, it is likely that plantaion grown L. sibirica and that grown in more southerly Europe is of lower density.

Is Siberian larch sustainable?

It is a highly abundant wood species, with larch trees representing 37% of the forests in Russia according to research. Siberian Larch is currently being replanted quicker than it is being harvested, making it a very sustainable choice. Not only that, but Siberian Larch is actually beneficial to the environment.

What is the hardest wood in New Zealand?

Black maire is hard (probably New Zealand's hardest wood) heavy and strong, and mature black maire is extremely durable. As a result it was used by early European settlers as a substitute for lignum vitae for bearings and pulley blocks.

Why is NZ short of timber?

Because New Zealand sends unprocessed logs offshore there has also been a reduction in the amount of wood byproduct that is available for processing. That means less wood pulp for products such as toilet paper and newsprint. It also means exports of these value added products have fallen off.

Can you prune a larch tree?

The larch tree requires little pruning, particularly in maturity. ... For larch trees that aren't as bushy as they could be, it's also a good idea to do a little pruning during the early spring. Take care though not to remove any of the central leader until the new growth has expanded later in the spring.

How do you tell if a tree is a larch?

How to Identify Larches. Most common larches in North America can be identified by their coniferous needles and single cone per shoot of needle clusters, but also by the larches' deciduous quality wherein they lose these needles and cones in the autumn, unlike most evergreen conifers.

Is larch wood hard or soft?

Siberian Larch timber is a softwood that comes from a tree native to western Russia and that cold climate leads to a timber that is more durable than many other softwoods, with a natural resistance to decay.