Western Larch
Larix occidentalis · softwood · Northwestern US · high movement
- Janka hardness 830 lbfred oak ≈ 1,290 lbf
- Density ≈ 36 lb/ft³specific gravity 0.52 at 12% MC
- Shrinkage — tangential 9.1%flatsawn width, green → ovendry
- Shrinkage — radial 4.5%quartersawn width
- T/R ratio 2.0 : 1higher = more cupping in flatsawn stock
Shop notes Hard, resinous, and rot-resistant — decking and timber-frame stock that out-muscles most softwoods and moves like a hardwood.
Seasonal movement at a glance
Width change for western larch across a typical indoor year — 6% moisture content in the heated winter to 12% in a humid summer:
| Board width | Flatsawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 6″ | 1/8″ (0.117″) | 1/16″ (0.058″) |
| 12″ | 7/32″ (0.234″) | 1/8″ (0.116″) |
| 24″ | 15/32″ (0.468″) | 7/32″ (0.231″) |
| 36″ | 11/16″ (0.702″) | 11/32″ (0.347″) |
Run your own numbers
Different width, different climate swing — the calculator below is preset to western larch:
Typical swings:
Western Larch questions
How much does western larch move with the seasons?
A 12″-wide flatsawn western larch board moves about 7/32″ across a typical indoor swing from 6% to 12% moisture content; quartersawn, about 1/8″. Its tangential shrinkage is 9.1% and radial 4.5% (green to ovendry) — a high-movement wood.
How hard is western larch?
Western Larch rates about 830 lbf on the Janka scale — softer than red oak but sturdy (red oak is roughly 1,290 lbf). Density runs about 36 lb/ft³ at indoor moisture levels.
Is western larch good for wide panels and tabletops?
Carefully. Its tangential-to-radial ratio of 2.0:1 makes flatsawn boards prone to cupping — choose quartersawn stock for wide glue-ups, alternate growth rings, and fasten tops so they can slide.
Similar species
Longleaf Pine (Heart Pine) · Eastern Redcedar (Aromatic) · Slash Pine · Port-Orford-Cedar · Loblolly Pine (Southern Yellow) · Shortleaf Pine
Shrinkage, specific gravity, and hardness from the Wood Handbook, FPL-GTR-282 (2021 edition), USDA Forest Products Laboratory (public domain). Values are species averages — individual boards vary with growth conditions and how they were dried.