What is Siberian Larch?
The Wood Guide · Wood register
Wood speciesSiberian larch
A tree that survives eighty degrees of temperature difference a year and grows extremely slowly as a result. That slow growth is exactly what makes the wood so dense.
- 590 – 650 kg/m³
- Larix sibirica
- Small, firm knots
Siberian larchLarix sibirica
Siberian larch
A tree that survives eighty degrees of temperature difference a year and grows extremely slowly as a result. That slow growth is exactly what makes the wood so dense.
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Why slow growth matters
In the boreal forests of Siberia the growing season is short. Each growth ring is therefore narrow, and narrow rings mean dense wood.
Larix sibirica grows in the vast boreal forests of Siberia, extending into Mongolia and northern China. The climate is continental and extreme: harsh, long winters and short, warm summers. A tree growing there grows for only a few months a year.
That translates directly into the figures. At 590 to 650 kg/m³, Siberian larch comes close to oak, and it is considerably heavier than most softwoods. Its bending strength of about 95 N/mm² and a modulus of elasticity around 12,000 N/mm² make it suitable for structural work where spruce falls short.
You recognise it by the golden-yellow to reddish-brown heartwood with white to pale yellow sapwood, a fine to medium grain, and small firm knots. Untreated outdoors it weathers to an even silver tone — for many architects precisely the reason to choose it.
Since 2022, Russian timber imports have been subject to European sanctions. Siberian larch of Russian origin can therefore no longer be placed on the European market. What is still offered comes from other countries or from stocks predating the sanctions — so always ask for the documents proving its origin.
- Botanical name
- Larix sibirica
- Origin
- Siberia, Mongolia, northern China
- Density
- 590 – 650 kg/m³
- Bending strength
- about 95 N/mm²
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 12,000 N/mm²
- Compressive strength
- about 50 N/mm²
- Hardness (Janka)
- about 1,100 N
- Heartwood
- golden yellow to reddish brown; sapwood white to pale yellow
To be fair: two things. First, Siberian larch is resinous: on sunny sides resin can bleed out, causing sticky patches and dark stains. Second, origin has become a problem — since the European sanctions on Russian timber, supply has been disrupted, and a traceable alternative such as European larch or thermally modified softwood is then often the wiser choice.
The figures in context
| Property | Value | For comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 590 – 650 kg/m³ | close to oak, well above spruce |
| Bending strength (MOR) | ± 95 N/mm² | more than adequate for structural use |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | ± 12,000 N/mm² | stiff: suitable for beams and floors |
| Compressive strength | ± 50 N/mm² | carries heavy loads |
| Hardness (Janka) | ± 1,100 N | harder than most softwoods |
| Durability class of heartwood | 3 | moderately durable: above ground yes, in the ground no |
| Sapwood | not durable | should be removed for outdoor use |
Colour, grain and ageing
Colour
Golden-yellow to reddish-brown heartwood, with white to pale yellow sapwood that stands out clearly. The colour darkens under the influence of light.
Grain
Fine to medium, usually straight-grained with occasionally a subtle interlocked grain. The narrow growth rings give a crisp, calm look.
Knots
Small and firm — they don't fall out. That gives a rustic but refined look, and it is why it is so sought after as cladding.
Greying
Untreated, it turns an even silver grey. Sheltered parts grey more slowly, so expect an uneven look in the first years.
What Siberian larch is used for
Cladding
The main use. Dense, dimensionally stable enough, small firm knots and attractive greying.
Decking boards
The density helps here: fewer splinters and less wear than ordinary larch. Do use enough fixing points.
Structural timber
Thanks to its strength figures, suitable for beams and load-bearing parts — provided it is graded to a strength class.
Interior finishing
Floors, panelling and ceilings, where the warm colour and calm ring pattern come into their own.
Garden screens and pergolas
Anything above ground. For posts in the ground, class 3 falls short.
Not in permanent ground contact
Use pressure-treated softwood or a class 1 species for that.
Because of the sanctions on Russian timber, the origin of Siberian larch is a real question today, not a formality. Ask your supplier for the documents that prove its origin. If they can't provide them, look at European larch, Douglas fir or thermally modified softwood — on a façade they do practically the same job.
Frequently asked questions about Siberian larch
Why is Siberian larch so dense?
Because of the extreme climate. In Siberia the growing season is short, so the growth rings stay narrow and the wood becomes denser than the same species in a milder climate.
How heavy is Siberian larch?
About 590 to 650 kg per cubic metre — close to oak, and considerably heavier than spruce or pine.
Can it be used untreated outdoors?
Above ground, yes. The heartwood is moderately durable and weathers to silver grey. For permanent ground contact it is not enough.
Why is it hard to get?
Since 2022, Russian timber imports have been subject to European sanctions, and Siberian larch comes mainly from Russia. Always ask for documents proving its origin.
Does resin bleed out?
It can, especially on sunny sides. Resin bleeding causes sticky patches and sometimes dark stains. It is not harmful, but it is visible.
What is a good alternative?
European larch, Douglas fir or thermally modified softwood. For cladding they do largely the same job, with an origin you can verify.
More in the wood register
The whole larch family is covered, plus the alternatives that are easier to get today.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Larix sibirica — Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Larix sibirica — СтЭко, CC BY 3.0