Wooden construction is always relevant, since wood is an environmentally friendly material available in any region of the country. When choosing between specific species, they come to the question of how to distinguish larch from pine. The lumber is similar in external parameters, such as texture and color, which makes it possible to replace one with the other when selling. However, they give out a different number of qualities, which indicates the need to understand the issue and not allow yourself to be deceived.
External differences
The question of the difference between wood is relevant for any builder planning to deal with wood.
How to visually distinguish pine from larch?
Only a completely inexperienced person can confuse larch and pine lumber. Both trees are conifers, but they are not difficult to distinguish. Firstly, fresh pine wood is much lighter than larch, and over time the difference becomes even more noticeable. Pine turns yellow over time, and larch becomes reddish-brown.
If you put a pine and larch block next to each other, you will see that larch has a more beautiful structure - narrow sapwood and clearly defined annual rings. For those who have materials at hand, we can recommend another simple test: run your fingernail over the surface with force. A small dent will remain on the pine board, while the larch board will remain unchanged.
Still in doubt? Smell the wood. Pine smells much stronger, so you can make the right choice even with your eyes closed.
How to determine the quality of lumber?
Today, the lumber market offers individual developers a huge selection of boards, all types of timber, logs and finishing materials. At the same time, every buyer standing in front of stacks of finished products asks a natural question - how to determine the quality of lumber?
In this case, you can give various technical definitions, GOST types for this or that type of lumber, but all these terms will not help the average consumer at all. To begin with, let's highlight the main selection criterion - the raw material from which lumber is made, or, more simply, the type of wood.
Wood type
The main share of lumber on the market is presented in the form of products made from coniferous trees. However, not every type of wood is suitable for one or another type of lumber. That is, the quality of lumber directly depends on what wood it was made from. A detailed examination of all coniferous species will allow not only to determine the quality, but also to understand for which types of lumber this or that type of wood is most suitable.
Quality and properties of wood
Pine has a hardness on the Brinell scale of 2.5 kgf/mm², and a density of 400-500 kg/m³; for larch these indicators are 2.5 kgf/mm² and 950-1200 kg/m³. The low density of pine is both a disadvantage and an advantage. Because of it, wood has lower thermal conductivity, has less weight, but, unfortunately, it deteriorates faster under the influence of time. Larch material makes the house somewhat colder, but does not rot, and the high resin content makes it stronger every year.
Pine and larch species have different areas of application due to their properties. Experienced builders recommend not using pine boards for flooring - they will get scratched quite quickly, but they are perfect for finishing walls. Larch is appropriate everywhere: when creating a roof, on the floor, and on the walls. It can even be used to make countertops in the kitchen and bathroom.
Important!
How lumber sellers deceive buyers
* The most common deception is underestimating the width of the board. Let's say you buy a lining 95 millimeters wide. In fact, it turns out to be only 85 millimeters. The seller proves the opposite, and in front of you measures the width of the board along with the tenon - it turns out 95. But the tenon cannot be counted when determining the size of the board, it does not add usable space to the buyer, but allows the seller to make money.
The grade of the board is determined by the manufacturer or seller himself. This board can in one case be considered grade A, in another - grade B and even C. Photo: Alexey Kunilov
* Another trick of sellers is that they can determine the grade of the board at their discretion. This product is not subject to mandatory certification, and everything depends on the conscientiousness of the sellers themselves. And it turns out: the same variety, taken from some sellers, looks perfect, but from others - with many cracked knots.
Tongue-and-groove* boards are boards on the edges of which a tongue (protrusion) and groove are formed with special cutters.
When you go for the clapboard, take a tape measure with you. Sellers often attribute the tenon size to the width of the board, which cannot be done. Photo: Alexey Kunilov
Block house** is a planed lining board with a segment of rounded logs or profiled timber on one side. Designed for interior and exterior decorative finishing of premises and buildings.
- Published in No. 24 of 02/09/2019
Decorative characteristics
Larch is a brighter and more diverse species, taking on different shades. The characteristic pattern is very beautiful and does not require additional processing. That is why floors made of this amazing wood are usually not painted, but covered with a transparent varnish. The same applies to stairs, walls, and exterior cladding. Pine is a little simpler, although the houses made from it are very light and seem to be filled with sunlight.
Pine has no equal in ease of processing, but larch wood has a heavy “character”. Even fresh lumber is difficult to work with hand and power tools, and it is sometimes impossible to drive a nail into an old beam. Parts of any shape can be cut from pine, so it is convenient to use it to create decorative elements covered with carvings.
Description of larch products
The high reputation of Siberian larch in the market of finishing and building materials is explained by its unique characteristics. Larch is literally impregnated with resinous substances, so its wood does not require treatment with special means to protect it from rotting and moisture. The low thermal conductivity of the wood of this tree turns lumber from it into one of the best insulating materials: covering the walls with plank or clapboard in the summer will allow the house to remain cool, and in the winter to retain heat for a long time.
Larch lumber is successfully used for both interior and exterior decoration of the house, as well as for landscaping the local area:
- Terrace boards can be used to create a veranda, a floor in a gazebo, or an outdoor barbecue area.
- Larch lining is an excellent material for finishing ceilings and walls.
- Larch floor boards can last for decades because they are not afraid of either water or mechanical damage.
- Durable timber can be used as supports and pillars. It is used to make door and window frames, reliable beautiful stairs, furniture, and internal partitions.
- Garden parquet, which is laid in open areas or in damp rooms, only becomes stronger over the years.
The wood of this coniferous tree is incredibly beautiful: experts distinguish twelve main shades of its wood, from light yellow to golden brown. Pronounced annual rings and a warm glow that appears when varnish is applied are the distinctive features of lumber from this amazing tree, a list of which can be found on the website.
Cost and Availability
Prices for larch materials are always higher than for pine materials. But if you calculate the costs taking into account the service life, it turns out that construction from Siberian larch is more profitable, since repairs will not be needed for a very long time, and it is difficult to damage durable boards.
The cost of larch is comparable to oak, and if you have a small budget, you will have to look for less expensive options. However, many builders can offer combined options. The project uses both expensive and budget wood species. All together creates a surprisingly harmonious house, where the frame elements are strong and durable, and the cladding is lighter, able to retain heat and, most importantly, inexpensive.
Lining
– This finishing material is very popular. What should you consider when choosing it?
– If you need lining for a bathhouse, then you need to take it from wood species that do not emit resin. In our region this is aspen, linden, and alder is also found. Linden is more durable than aspen and smells better, but is 30 percent more expensive. Outwardly they look similar, many don’t even differentiate, but linden has a slightly creamy tint, aspen is lighter.
Products made from expensive and cheap types of wood are sometimes very similar. So, on the left the boards are made of linden, on the right - from aspen. Photo: Alexey Kunilov
– Some people have a prejudice against aspen.
– There is something that is supposedly bad energy. Probably manufacturers of linden products start such rumors (laughs).
The cost of lining, depending on the quality, can range from 130 rubles per square meter and up to 890. This is how much linden lining, grade A, costs. Photo: Alexey Kunilov
– Some people think that covering the walls with clapboard inside a house is bad form...
- Why? It's cheaper than plastering them. Plaster absorbs odors, and in a room upholstered with clapboard, even if you smoke, after 10 minutes there will be no more smell.
If you stock up on a tape measure when buying a board, it will be difficult to deceive you. Photo: Alexey Kunilov
Where can you order quality lumber?
Lumber from conifers occupies a prominent place on the market, but not all of them are of the same quality. Very often, sellers have no idea about the conditions under which the drying was carried out, where the trees from which the lining, block house or terrace board were made grew. In order not to be disappointed with the result, it is important to purchase construction materials from the manufacturer. In this case, you will receive comprehensive information about each product, its features, processing method and other important points.
If you are looking for construction or finishing materials from Siberian larch, on the LESINTER company website you will find a whole catalog of high-quality boards, timber, lining, block house, planken and many other lumber. All of them are dried using special equipment, and therefore, when used, they give a predictably excellent result: they do not warp, do not change color, and do not rot. You can view a complete list of sizes of various materials in the catalog. There you can also find out the cost of a linear meter of lumber, taking into account the grade.
PINE: building a wooden house or bathhouse from pine is the best value for money.
If you still can’t decide what kind of wood your country house will be built from, then pay special attention to houses made of pine. They will be the optimal choice for a wide variety of people, as they combine excellent quality characteristics and relatively low construction costs.
Due to its almost ubiquitous growth, pine has gained immense popularity in construction. Currently, this material is used for a variety of purposes, from the production of boards to the construction of country houses and cottages. In terms of cost, houses made of pine will certainly give all other types of wood a head start, but cost-effectiveness is far from their only advantage. Pine wood contains a large amount of resin and phytoncides. On the one hand, their presence provides a favorable microclimate in the interior. If you have ever been inside a pine house, then you probably remember the fresh air filled with the aromas of the forest, which invariably remains in the rooms of the home. This atmosphere is maintained precisely by resins and phytoncides. On the other hand, they protect walls, floors and ceilings from the action of fungi and other harmful bacteria that cannot multiply in the thickness of the wood due to the abundance of resin.
Assembled from profiled timber or rounded logs, pine houses are very warm. They are easy to heat in winter, and in summer the interior remains blissfully cool, no matter how hot it is outside.
Does pine have any disadvantages? The disadvantages, perhaps, include the fact that pine has a rather thick, most loose top layer - sapwood. When processing a tree trunk, this layer is not completely removed. This is what causes the possible appearance of “blue” on logs and beams. But modern wood processing means can successfully combat this phenomenon. In addition, we add that they are quite environmentally friendly.
LARCH: construction of wooden houses from larch means durability, high fire resistance, and a very attractive appearance.
Larch wood does not rot or turn blue. Larch core is a wood that is very resistant to decay. The relative biological stability (susceptibility to destruction by fungi and insects) of larch core wood is twice as high as that of pine core wood and belongs to the group of very resistant wood species. Due to the peculiarity of the resin that impregnates it, it is not attacked by wood-boring insects, and also allows it to be used without any chemical treatment in cases where other species are susceptible to rot. Houses built from larch are very durable. In terms of physical and mechanical properties, the durability of larch occupies an intermediate position between soft coniferous species, such as pine, and hard deciduous species, the most famous of which is oak. An example of durability and strength are the larch piles on which Venice stands, as well as the covering of the cycle track in Krylatskoye.
There is an opinion that it is colder in wooden houses built from larch than in houses built from pine, but this is not so. The volumetric heat capacity of larch wood is 30% higher than that of pine wood. This means that a larch wooden frame has a correspondingly greater amount of accumulated heat. This manifests itself in the fact that during the heated period, the temperature in the room is more evenly distributed throughout the day, and in the hot summer time, a feeling of coolness is maintained there. It may be colder in a larch house, but this is only the first time. Until the log house settles and dries.
The fire resistance of larch wood, according to research conducted by the Moscow State Forestry University, is approximately twice as high as that of pine wood. In addition, larch wood is very beautiful - it has an unusual reddish tint. The annual layers are clearly visible, clearly visible on all cross sections of wood and give planed surfaces a beautiful texture without the need to enhance it with dyes.
Our ancestors also knew about the diverse medicinal properties of Siberian larch. Its medicinal properties are determined by the biologically active nutrients it contains - antioxidants. Antioxidants help the human body in the fight against aging and the occurrence of various diseases, especially under conditions of stress, polluted environment, and radiation. Larch wood is used to produce unique medical preparations used for coronary heart disease, asthma, diabetes, stomach and liver diseases, as well as to reduce the risk of tumors and infectious diseases. Siberian larch extract is the main component of a large number of cosmetics and shampoos.
In a wooden house built from Siberian larch, the likelihood of migraines and neuroses associated with vascular spasms is reduced. Throughout its entire lifespan, larch evaporates natural phytoncides, which, when entering the human respiratory tract, prevent colds and viral diseases. In case of hypertension, positive results in lowering blood pressure are observed. The resorption of hemorrhages is accelerated, visual acuity increases, and metabolism is normalized. The growing conditions of larch in the areas of Lake Baikal and the Angara and Yenisei rivers are such that larch wood is environmentally friendly and cannot contain allergens in principle.
The disadvantages of larch include its higher cost compared to pine and the difficulty of processing it.
CEDAR: wooden houses built from cedar mean durability, healing effect, unique thermal conductivity and nobility.
In recent years, houses made of cedar have become extremely popular not only in Siberia, where this material is traditionally used for the construction of various buildings, but also in central Russia. But despite the prevalence of cedar, many people still have no idea what is good about the wood of this amazing tree.
Cedar wood is characterized by exceptional strength, wonderful aroma and fine-layer structure, which provides the material with excellent thermal insulation qualities. According to its physical and mechanical characteristics, cedar occupies an intermediate position between pine and larch. It is processed no worse than pine, but has almost the same resistance to moisture as larch. One of the most amazing, even unique properties of cedar wood is its antibacterial power. This quality is manifested in the fact that houses built from cedar have a beneficial effect on the human body, especially on its nervous system. The tree releases phytoncides into the atmosphere, which destroy pathogens, relieve stress and fatigue, and reduce the time required to recuperate. In addition, phytoncides give cedar a specific pleasant aroma. By the way, mosquitoes really don’t like it, which fly around cedar houses a mile away, so the owners of the home can sleep peacefully with open windows throughout the summer.
Another important property of cedar wood is its unique thermal conductivity, due to the fine-layer structure of the wood. Suffice it to say that houses made of cedar with a wall thickness of 100 mm have the same thermal resistance as brick cottages, the wall of which is folded into “two bricks,” that is, has a thickness of at least 400 mm.
It is also important that a wooden house built from cedar has an excellent appearance and looks advantageous even against the background of modern finishing materials, not to mention ordinary siding or lining. And, finally, houses built from cedar resist moisture and other aggressive factors in the best possible way, delighting their owners with many years of impeccable service.
The disadvantages of houses made of cedar include the higher cost of construction compared to the construction of houses made of pine or larch.
The properties of any wood building material are determined by the characteristics of the species from which it is made. The most common building materials on the market are made from coniferous trees: pine, spruce, and larch. Which has more advantages? Let's try to figure it out.
How to choose wood
The consumer is primarily interested in the appearance of the wood . Here, as they say, there are no comrades according to taste. Everyone chooses only from their preferences. Moreover, the grade of wood also relates to personal preferences. Some people, for example, think that Extra grade wood is similar to plastic, because... there are no knots on it.
Color of spruce, pine and larch wood
Spruce, pine and larch are coniferous species. The spruce wood is the whitest, the knots are small and randomly located, the core is not expressed. The core of the pine can already be distinguished, its wood is more yellow, the knots are larger and grow in groups. The larch core has a reddish tint, it is very large and dense, and the color is very different from the sapwood.
Pine or larch: wood resistance to rotting
The second most important issue is the resistance of wood to rotting. GOST 20022.2-80 gives the answer to this question.
However, in GOST the difference is not entirely clear. After all, everyone knows that larch is more resistant than pine or spruce. For this purpose, there is a concept of relative resistance of wood (resistance to decay of linden sapwood is taken as 1.0).
Spruce's resistance to rot is average. Moreover, along the entire cut from the center of the trunk to its edges it is approximately the same. Pine is a resistant species. There is one nuance with larch - the core has very strong natural resistance. But the resistance of larch sapwood is less than even that of spruce. In terms of impregnation with protective compounds, pine is clearly the leader. That is, its sapwood perfectly absorbs antiseptics and oils. And what’s most interesting is that spruce is impregnated just as poorly as larch. Although it is the least resistant breed of those considered. That is, the best species for exterior decoration are pine or larch. Spruce is good for interior spaces.
Mechanical properties of wood
The third thing that interests us is the properties of lumber, which affect their operation and processing. All conifers under consideration have sufficient structural strength. They can be used without restrictions in construction and decoration.
Larch
Due to its dense core, larch is the strongest, heaviest, and also the coldest. It is very difficult to process. It is especially difficult to saw and plane. The tool becomes greasy and dull. However, staining properly prepared wood usually does not cause problems. Larch has a very high shrinkage coefficient , as well as swelling pressure . This is a consequence of the postulate - the denser the wood, the more bound moisture it contains.
Larch is much more susceptible to warping and cracking than pine and spruce, as it has high internal stresses. To reduce these phenomena, larch moldings must be covered with protective compounds that prevent moisture from penetrating into/from the wood. Only if this condition is met does it retain its physical parameters (does not dry out/swell, does not crack). If you use larch as piles, then this parameter is not important. In a constant humid environment, larch only becomes stronger (turns to stone). When installing, larch necessarily requires preliminary drilling, as it can split. When using larch as a decking board, compensation cuts must be made to relieve internal stress. Therefore, larch decking boards are always made in a “corduroy” (comb) profile.
Christmas tree is the loosest and warmest type. When fresh, spruce is easy to process, although hard small knots during processing often cause many problems, including chipping the blades of the processing tool. With high humidity, it quickly rots and collapses. For outdoor use, spruce must be specially chemically treated. Indoors, spruce absorbs odors more than other species. But at first, the spruce house has a wonderful microclimate. Due to the homogeneous structure of the wood, spruce is the least prone to warping and cracking. Spruce bends well, is less resinous, and practically does not turn yellow over time.
Pine
Pine is the golden mean among conifers. Like spruce, it has a low shrinkage coefficient, that is, it warps much less than larch. It is perfectly processed - sawn, sanded, impregnated, glued. Pine is the main structural material in the construction of houses. The disadvantages of pine include its softness. Like spruce, it is easily scratched and damaged. To reduce this disadvantage, pine boards are treated with varnishes, which, penetrating into the top layer, strengthen the surface. This mainly concerns furniture and floors.
Wood shrinkage coefficients
As mentioned above, larch has a higher coefficient of shrinkage and swelling than pine or spruce. Use of wood outdoors in our climate occurs at equilibrium humidity from 12% in summer to 20% in winter. GOST 6782.1-75 provides the following data in the tables: shrinkage of a 100 mm thick bar to a moisture content of 17-19% is 3.4% for pine and spruce and 4.4% for larch. It is important to consider these coefficients when installing terraces and facades. It is necessary to leave the necessary gaps for the natural expansion/contraction of wood depending on the season of the year.
Thus, the mechanical properties of wood do not give a clear answer as to which is better: spruce, pine or larch. It all depends on where the wood is used.
Application of spruce, pine and larch
Larch is more in demand in places with high humidity. Optimally on terraces and facades of houses. It will behave well as a floor covering in walk-through areas where people often wear heels. This wood is also suitable for parquet. But a house made of larch will be cold. The larch facade is heavy and requires very reliable fastening. When used in exterior decoration and on terraces, it requires constant attention - treatment with protective oils.
Pine is an excellent construction material. She also behaves well as a finisher. Planken, lining, imitation timber, etc. Pine is unpretentious during operation, but when used outdoors it requires antiseptic or any other protection. When using pine on terraces, it is better to use the so-called deck board. The deck board does not have a comb on the front side. Since pine is a fairly soft wood, the comb takes on a rather untidy appearance over time. In addition, the comb is an excellent “garbage collector”. Pine facades behave well when the weather changes. They hold paintwork well and also have a beautiful natural pattern.
Spruce is more in demand in paper production than in construction. Although it also makes an excellent finishing material for interior decoration. Spruce lining is distinguished by its whiteness and the absence of a pronounced pattern. The use of spruce without appropriate antiseptic treatment for exterior decoration is undesirable. This tree does not have such a reserve of natural antiseptic (resin) as pine or larch.
Ultraviolet radiation has a negative effect on any tree, regardless of species or grade, as well as on any coating. Spruce, pine or larch will fade in the sun equally. This means that for the street the determining factor is protection from rotting . A faded board can be repainted, but a rotten one can only be replaced.
Source: www.lhp.by
Decorative characteristics
Let’s not forget that wood is not only reliable and environmentally friendly, but also beautiful. It is often used in interiors to decorate a room with a living, fibrous texture.
Larch looks beautiful and solid. It can have different colors, from light brown to reddish. Compared to pine, it contains fewer knots (although everything is determined by the type and quality of selection). But there is one problem: the color of the wood is almost always different. It is very difficult to choose identical boards or timber.
Coniferous trees are found almost everywhere - in both warm and cold regions. Some areas are even distinguished by the predominance of representatives of this family over other varieties. The most famous conifers are spruce, cedar, pine, fir, cypress, juniper, larch, sequoia and yew. Most of these are tall trees, but there are also shrubs and dwarf tree representatives. They are widespread in Russian regions, but not everyone can distinguish, for example, larch from pine.
In this article we will try to figure out how to distinguish larch from pine and what is the difference between the wood of these trees.
Differences between fir and spruce from other conifers
Fir is very similar to other representatives of coniferous trees, especially spruce. Therefore, in order to differentiate them from each other, it is important to know their characteristics and main differences so that the right decision can be made when choosing a tree for planting or industrial purposes.
The main differences between fir and other conifers
All representatives of the Pine family are similar to each other primarily in the presence of needles, which remain on the tree without changing its color all year round. They also have a very bright characteristic odor due to the presence of resin and essential oils in wood, pine needles and cones. But there are also differences that help you choose one or another tree depending on its purpose and necessary characteristics.
Spruce needles are short, dense and very prickly; pine is longer, but also quite hard, it pricks a little less. But fir and larch are distinguished by rather soft needles, similar to thin leaves. Moreover, larch sheds its needles every year, like deciduous trees, which is why it got its name.
Crown
All young coniferous trees have a dense crown of a cone-shaped or pyramidal shape. At a more mature age, they can become spherical or ovoid. The exception is the pine crown, because it differs from other conifers. Young trees are spherical in shape, and with age they become umbrella-shaped.
Fir bark differs from the bark of other conifers in that it has special resin pockets in which resin accumulates. Other trees do not have this feature; moreover, their bark is much darker and very lumpy.
For example, spruce has tubercles on the trunk in the places where the needles are located. And all representatives of the Pine family, except fir, juniper and yew, contain resin ducts in their wood - long and thin channels filled with resin.
Cones
Fir cones grow on top of the branches. In appearance, they resemble vertically standing long decorative candles, purple or brown. Their arrangement is similar to cedar and larch cones. But in pine and spruce they grow differently - they hang down. When ripe, the round cones of the fir crumble into seeds and husks, leaving only the core on the branches, while the spruce simply spills out the seed.
The shape of the cones of all conifers is similar, but they can still be distinguished from each other. In fir they are the longest, with round edges, in cedar they are barrel-shaped, slightly shorter in size, in spruce they are cone-shaped, and in larch they are original, very beautiful, similar to small rose flowers.
Seeds
The seeds of the fir tree spill out after ripening along with the husk, completely destroying the rather attractive cones growing on top of the branches. But in other conifers, the cones remain intact after the seeds are poured out. The number of seeds may vary depending on the type.
Cedar seed differs from the seeds of other conifers in that it is a very tasty and healthy product, and also very valuable; it is eaten in its natural form and used to prepare various dishes.
Smell
All conifers have a very pleasant smell, in which notes of freshness, resin and pine are felt. But it differs slightly among different species. Thanks to the resin pockets that are located on the bark of the fir tree, it has a richer smell compared to other members of the Pine family.
Which is better - fir or spruce
Depending on the purpose of these trees, each of them has its own advantages over others. To understand the difference between these plants, it is necessary to compare their characteristics.
- The main advantages that spruce can boast of:
- its wood is more durable, so it is very valuable for construction and furniture production;
- does not require additional fertilizer;
- grows faster.
Video: how to distinguish fir from spruce
- The main advantages of fir wood:
- normal attitude towards soil drying out;
- takes root well;
- has a more impressive appearance when used in landscape design;
- does not require crown formation;
- its cones look very attractive;
- due to the absence of resin passages inside the wood, it is used for the production of paper and various containers;
- has a very rich smell;
- doesn't prick.
Thus, you can say for sure which tree is better only after deciding for what purpose you want to use it. Depending on the situation, their specific characteristics can be both advantages and disadvantages.
How is larch different from pine?
The forest kingdom is not only a magnificent nature, but also a place where birds and animals live. Among other things, the forest contains a huge variety of trees that differ from each other. Pine and larch are familiar to many, but few have delved into their features and differences. Both of these plants are coniferous trees, but there are some significant differences between them. Next, let's try to figure out how they are similar to each other and how they differ from each other.
Below is a description of larch and pine.
Pine or larch
What kind of wood should be used in the construction and decoration of a house? Usually the choice is among the most popular species in Belarus - pine or spruce. This choice is due to the availability of these lumber, as they grow on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Moreover, pine is always in an advantageous position due to its greater distribution. However, there is also such a tree as larch, which is brought to us from Russia. Larch closes the top three among coniferous trees. Let's try to figure out which is better - spruce, pine or larch.
Larch
This plant is one of the most common among conifers growing in Russia and beyond. The tree grows up to 50 meters in height, and the trunk diameter reaches 1 meter. The lifespan of this breed is 300-400 years. There are also “old-timers” who have reached 800 years of age.
Instead of foliage, the tree has needles, which is typical for all coniferous trees. In larch, unlike pine and spruce, it is soft to the touch and annual. The needles are shed in the fall, and the tree overwinters as a deciduous tree, without foliage. Therefore, many people have a question: what type of tree does the plant belong to and how to distinguish larch from pine?
Pine
Pine is also a common tree in Russia. People call a pine forest a forest or “pine trees.” These happen often.
Thanks to the complete bareness of the trunk, the pine tree is a favorite of the parks. Usually the branches are concentrated at the top, since the tree loves light, and this organization allows everyone to get “their share.”
Important! Spreading branches and dispersed throughout the trunk occur in separately growing plants.
It is rare for a tree to exist in a forest with other species. It is a slow-growing plant, so it is quickly replaced. Of the conifers, it can get along with spruce trees (provided that the ratio is biased towards pine trees).
Pines reach a height of up to 45 meters, and their trunks are thicker than larches - more than a meter, sometimes up to two. The lifespan is about 300 years; objects over 400 years old are considered record holders.
The breed is not picky about soil quality. Suitable arid, infertile. The plant is distributed throughout the country and beyond its borders and tolerates frost well.
The crown is made up of tough, hard needles, which do not fall off in the winter.
The pine plant also contains a lot of resin, which is used to make medicines, household tinctures (turpentine), and as a natural glue. It has a pleasant pine scent, which is useful during the New Year period (instead of fragrant spruce ropes, it is permissible to use pine ropes).
Pine-based lumber is inexpensive, yet of sufficient quality and environmentally friendly. They also have a unique color and durability.
Pine
Scots pine
The height of the tree is 25-40 meters, the trunk in diameter is more than 1 meter. Age can reach up to 350 years (maximum - 600).
Paired needles emerge from brown leathery sheaths. The length of the prickly and hard needles is 4-9 cm, width - up to 2 mm. They are placed on the shoot in a linear-spiral manner. In the upper part the needles are dark green, in the lower part they are bluish-green due to a waxy coating. She lives for about 2-3 years, sometimes up to 8 years. The cones sit on the branches singly or in groups of 2-3. They are oblong-ovoid in shape, up to 7 cm long.
Scots pine, like larch, is very light-loving and is easily replaced by fast-growing and more shade-tolerant species. Not demanding on soil moisture and fertility. Scots pine is cold-resistant and frost-resistant.
Where do larch and pine grow?
Larch can withstand the most severe frosts and can grow in the most depleted soils. In nature, it is found in any area and can even form larch forests. You can find this tree in Primorye, Siberia, the Carpathians and the Far East. Some representatives grow all over the world.
Pines grow in the Northern Hemisphere, in the temperate zone. The growing area extends from northern Africa to regions beyond the Arctic Circle. These are Russia, European countries, North America and Asia. Pine forms mixed forests and pine forests, where they grow together with spruce and other trees.
In Russia, the leading position is occupied by Scots pine. There are a total of 16 wild species.
Features of larch
Larch (see photo in the article) is a coniferous tree belonging to the pine family. Although it sheds its needles, it looks attractive at any time of the year. In spring it is bright green, in autumn it is yellow. In the autumn, having shed its needles, it is also magnificent with beautiful cones on the branches.
Soft needles grow singly or in a bunch.
This light-loving plant grows in places where there is a lot of light. Larch is unpretentious and tolerates frost well. Under favorable conditions for it, it increases its height to one meter over the course of a year. It can grow on mountain tops and in wetlands.
How to distinguish larch from pine
As you can see, pine and larch plants have a lot in common in terms of places and growing conditions. It is difficult to confuse larch with pine if you see them close up. The main difference is that larch, like all deciduous trees, sheds its leaves for the winter, and in winter it looks almost bare. Pine is an evergreen coniferous tree, changing only the shades of its needles with the seasons.
Both of these trees can grow up to 40 meters in height, but the larch trunk is thicker and can reach up to 1.8 meters in diameter. And their trunk is straight, so both trees serve as excellent building materials. Larch has a more transparent crown than pine.
On young trees it is much lighter than on pine, but on older trees this difference is practically not noticeable. Larch needles (this is clearly visible in the photo) are bright green, flattened, soft and arranged spirally on the branches and in bunches of about 20-40 pieces. In autumn it turns yellow and crumbles. Pine needles are long and located on a branch, 2 pieces in a bunch, also in a spiral. The leaves do not fall for 2-5 years, and they are replaced imperceptibly and gradually.
Pine cones have a classic cone shape. Young ones are green, while ripe ones are dark brown with pointed, hard scales. In the spring they open and fall. graceful, more rounded and ovoid in shape. Young cones are pale yellow in color, while mature ones are brown. After opening, they pour out seeds, and the cones themselves remain on the branches and hang for about three years.
The answer to the question of how to distinguish larch from pine in terms of the appearance of the plant is clear. Now we need to find out the quality of the wood of these two plants.
Larch or pine, what to choose? What is the difference and how to tell the difference?
When choosing a material for the construction or finishing of a wooden house , summer house, cottage, as well as the construction of a bathhouse or sauna, the construction of gazebos and terraces, many people wonder about choosing a practical material. Focusing on a natural “natural” product, the buyer makes a choice between the two most popular types of wood - pine or larch.
What are the main differences and what type of wood should you give your preference, we will look at in this article.
Pine - inexpensive, practical and accessible
Pine has an average wood density and is quite easy to process.
When planning to buy pine flooring or decking boards , immediately prepare yourself for possible problems with such materials. Pine wood does not have high strength; it is quite susceptible to rotting. A floor made of such material quickly becomes covered with dents from furniture legs. Yes, pine is cheap and available, but, for example, a pine terrace needs to be rebuilt every 2-3 years.
Siberian Larch – built to last
the larch floor , is still preserved in excellent condition . Moreover, it did not undergo deformation, but acquired an almost stone fortress. Doorways, dining tables, interior and exterior decoration - these are just a small part of the scope of use of larch in the Middle Ages.
In addition, ships were built from it, furniture and dishes were made. Larch, which you can always buy in our warehouses in any quantity, is still the most desired material among natural construction “gourmets.”
When building country houses from rounded logs or laminated veneer lumber, many people prefer larch. This tree is distinguished by its amazing strength, maximum durability and beauty and uniqueness of the cut site and the overall appearance of the structure.
Before the advent of concrete, larch was used as the main material for the construction of river bridges. It successfully resists the negative influence of both fresh and sea water.
Any larch lumber contains a unique resin - a natural antiseptic that prevents bug infestation and prevents the growth of mold and mildew even in conditions of constant humidity.
In many countries around the world, larch timber is considered an elite building material, which, moreover, has increased resistance to fire (twice as high as pine) and has a beneficial effect on health.
Tree resin contains natural antioxidants that prevent the growth and development of many respiratory diseases.
Larch is twice as expensive as pine, but in terms of density and durability it leaves it far behind. The larch floor is hard and will last forever. Larch is ideal for the street (terrace, exterior cladding) and where high hardness is needed (floors in the house, assembly halls, stages).
Comparative analysis of two breeds
Let's compare two materials based on their main characteristics:
- Durability and service life.
Larch is unrivaled; it is characterized by the highest density and hardness (remember larch floorboards in old castles). Increased resin content has a beneficial effect on health, prevents the growth of fungus and mold, and prevents the destructive effects of moisture (rotting).
Pine is much easier to process and prepare for construction. The less labor costs, the fewer problems with construction and the final cost of the house.
Larch floorboards are characterized by one of the most beautiful surface structures of wood. The pattern of each cut is unique, and its texture is very pleasant to the touch. Properly processed larch has a perfectly smooth, almost polished surface, which cannot be said about pine.
Larch looks more aesthetically pleasing and beautiful due to its structure and color. For example, a larch decking board has virtually no knots when compared with pine. The only problem when choosing is the differences in shades, which can cause some difficulty when selecting identical boards.
Construction material
What is better as a building material - larch or pine? Many master builders know that larch is valued more than pine.
Pine is not very suitable for use in rooms with high air temperatures, for example in saunas and baths, due to the oiliness of the plant. In such places, you can get burned if the resin gets on your skin.
Advantages of larch:
- medium wood hardness group (comparable to oak);
- good resistance to chips and impacts (produce high-quality parquet);
- durable and dense (sinks in water), less susceptible to rotting;
- good water resistance (used in exterior decoration of rooms with high humidity).
There are also some disadvantages. Due to the fact that larch wood is very dense, this creates problems during construction. Trees used to be floated down the river to their destination, and larch wood, due to its high density and heaviness, immediately sank to the bottom.
In any case, larch is a unique and expensive material.
The building materials market offers customers a large selection of boards, logs and beams made from coniferous trees, in particular larch and pine. These materials differ in price and characteristics, so when purchasing, it is important to know how to distinguish larch lumber from pine. This is especially important when choosing wood for exterior decoration, since it must not only be durable and retain heat well, but also be resistant to external influences. Consultants will help you understand this important issue and determine which lumber is suitable for your purposes - pine or larch.
Comparative analysis of two breeds
To settle on one, you need to compare options on all fronts.
- Strength, durability.
Larch is unrivaled in this parameter. This is the standard of strength.
Interesting! It is known that in some old castles the original floor covering was larch lumber. This is a plus for trusting this particular option.
Also, such coatings and structures do not form harmful fungi, mold, or destructive factors. This has a positive effect on the service life.
The advantage is a perfectly smooth surface that is formed immediately after sanding without additional coating with varnish compounds or resinous bases. It is covered with a pattern unique to each cut. This is the tree of kings, rich people.
Speaking about pine lumber, they note that it does not require additional labor costs. Pine is easy to process, select single-textured blanks. However, ease of work requires more volume - giving evenness, choosing a certain texture.
The service life depends on the place of application. The interior installation is as durable as the larch exterior finish.
The price/quality ratio is surprisingly true in the case of softwood lumber.
- Appearance.
To create the effect of high cost, giving status to a particular object, use a tree that is exposed for the winter. It has a noble color, a unique structure, and excellent properties in terms of technical rather than aesthetic indicators.
Moreover, on boards made of more expensive materials, knot cuts are rarely visible. This is due to their virtual absence on the trunk. The only drawback is the differences in single-material blanks, but it is quite possible to select matches and create a kind of gradient.
- Application.
The scope of application is not limited. Both materials are similar. Wood is used to improve internal environmental friendliness and remove buildings (finishing, furniture, etc.) from the risk zone.
Boards made from the analyzed wood are equally hypoallergenic and are suitable for the construction of structures, auxiliary structures, and furniture creation.
The main differences between pine and larch
It is difficult for a person without experience to distinguish building materials from pine and larch at first glance. They are similar in color and texture, and have a characteristic pine aroma. However, knowing the characteristic features of each type of wood, you can easily choose the right material:
- Aroma. Pine has a pronounced coniferous aroma, while larch has a more subtle, barely perceptible aroma.
- Color. Fresh larch timber has a dark color, and under the influence of ultraviolet radiation it acquires a noble reddish tint. Pine is light, but over time a yellowish tint appears.
- Weight. Larch is much heavier. When you pick up boards of two types of wood of the same size, you will immediately feel the difference in weight.
- Strength. If you run a sharp object across pine wood, you will find a small mark that you won’t see on a larch board.
- Fire resistance. If we compare lumber according to this criterion, pine is less suitable for finishing rooms with a high fire risk.
Use of pine
Pine, which has recently been grown artificially, has long been considered an excellent material for the construction and decoration of houses. This is due both to the rapid growth and wide growing area of the tree, and to the ease of its processing. Pine wood is soft, but durable and not prone to cracking. Resin serves as a natural impregnation that protects wood from moisture and decay.
Pine wood has a beautiful surface, and its pleasant fresh smell, which lasts for several years, has a beneficial effect on the inhabitants of the house. Pine lumber is an excellent finishing material that is used for interior and exterior work:
- Houses are built from solid logs and beams; they are used as supports and material for making door and window openings.
- Ceilings and walls are covered with pine clapboard.
- Veneer, plywood and chipboard with a characteristic texture can be used to make furniture, create partitions, and decorate rooms.
- Pine railings, stairs, and frames are almost not subject to shrinkage, and their low weight creates an insignificant load on the foundation.
