Scotlarch® is the registered trade name for Russwood's selected heartwood of Scottish-grown European Larch.

Larix Decidua has long been used for cladding in North Europe, and is increasingly used for this purpose in the UK.

It is a very strong robust wood, and good quality timber can be relatively knot free although some knots can be 'loose'. It is referred to as a small movement wood.

It is rated as moderately durable and if the sapwood is excluded can be used untreated for cladding. If sapwood is not excluded the wood will require treatment. If it is not to be surface coated it will be necessary to treat with ACQ which will colour the wood deep brown.

Data sheet

• Wood type - Softwood
• Environmental - Available from well-managed sources. FSC certified Russwood FSC no.SGS CoC 1272
• Distribution - The natural habitat of Larch are mountainous areas. Russwood source their Larch within a 60 mile radius of their Newtonmore Mill.
• Tree - European Larch can attain a height of 20m to 35m and a diameter of 1m or slightly more. In favourable situations it will have a long, clean, cylindrical bole for two-thirds of its length.
• Timber - Heartwood: Pale reddish-brown to brick-red in colour. It has clearly marked annual rings, a straight grain, and a fine, uniform texture. It is medium heavy, weighing 590 kg/m3 when dried to 18%+/- 2%.
• Drying - Dries rapidly.
• Strength - A hard tough timber, it is about 50 per cent harder than Scots pine and slightly stronger in bending and toughness; in other strength categories it is about the same as for Scots pine.
• Working Qualities - Medium. (Refers to ease of working and is classed as good, medium or difficult.)
• Durability - Naturally durable when sapwood is excluded.
• Treatability - Extremely difficult for vacuum pressure processes. (BS EN 350-2)
• Moisture Movement - Small. (Refers to the dimensional changes that occur when dried timber is subjected to changes in atmospheric conditions.)
• Density (Kg/m³) - 550 (15% moisture content)
• Texture - Fine
• Use(s) - Cladding: Selected grades.
• Colour(s) - Reddish-brown. (Heartwood) Most timbers vary in colour and will change with use, exposure to light and the application of finishes.