What Is Larchwood Plywood?

Larch Description

• Three species of larch are found in the western United States: western larch, sub-alpine larch and tamarack larch. All three species are closely related and hybridize easily in nature. The trees can grow up to 150 feet tall and have high quality wood that is resistant to rotting in wet conditions. Larch trees are among the few evergreens that seasonally drop their needles in the fall.

Use in Plywood

• Larch trees are harvested and stripped of their bark before being processed into plywood. The tree is rolled against a long, sharp blade that cuts a thin sheet of wood from the tree. The sheets are stacked and glued together with the grain alternating direction in each layer. The sheets are then heated and compressed before the final sanding and refinishing of each sheet of larchwood plywood.

Qualities of Larch Plywood

• Larch plywood is a hard, heavy wood that is highly durable and highly resistant to weathering. The wood is yellowish-brown and has fine, straight grains. Knots are common in larchwood, but they are generally small and inconspicuous in plywood sheets. Larchwood plywood is most commonly sold in 1/4-, 3/8-, 1/2-. 5/8- and 3/4-inch thicknesses.

Uses

• High grade larchwood plywood is used as an interior construction material. Larchwood plywood is used for sashes, flooring, doors and fine interior woodwork. Large sections of larchwood plywood are used for boat construction due to the wood's durability and water resistance. The plywood is also useful for outdoor construction projects in humid areas with high levels of precipitation.