Name European Larch (Larix decidua)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as European larch, common larch, lark, and tamarack.
Sources Grows in Europe and southeast Asia.
Appearance Typically straight, but sometimes spiral grained with a fine, uniform texture. Pale red to brick red heartwood and narrow, pale yellow sapwood. Growth rings well defined.
Physical Props Moderately heavy and hard with moderate stiffness, bending strength, crushing strength, and decay resistance. Very stable in service.
Working Props Works fairly easily with hand or machine tools but knots may blunt cutting edges and cause chip-out. Glues satisfactorily. Pre-drilling required for screwing or nailing. Accepts paints, stains, and finishes well.
Uses Used primarily for utility poles, pilings, pit props, and stakes. Also used for boat planking, flooring, bridge construction, railway sleepers, exterior joinery, clogs, shingles, siding, trim, stair rails, plywood, paneling, and decorative veneers.
Comments Japanese larch has very similar properties.

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Name Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as larch, tamarack, western tamarack, hackmatack, Montana larch, and mountain larch.
Sources Grows in British Columbia and northwestern United States. Most important Larch timber species.
Appearance Straight grained with a coarse texture and oily appearance. Reddish brown heartwood and yellowish white sapwood.
Physical Props Moderately heavy and hard with high stiffness, bending and crushing strength, and moderate decay resistance. One of the harder, stronger, and heavier softwoods. Stable in service.
Working Props Works fairly well although stringy grain can cause problems when planing. Turns, routs, and bores well. Glues satisfactorily. Holds nails and screws well but pre-drilling recommended to prevent splitting. Primer recommended for paints and other finishes.
Uses Used for construction lumber, interior finish, sash, flooring, doors, boxes, crates, pallets, casks, veneer, plywood, and glue-laminated beams. Properties are similar to those of Douglas-fir and is often marketed and sold as "Doug fir-Larch".

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Name Lignumvitae (Guaiacum spp.)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as guayacan, palo santo, and ironwood.
Sources Composed of three species that grow in Central and South America.
Appearance Closely interlocked grain with a fine, uniform texture. Dark greenish brown to nearly black heartwood and yellowish sapwood. Naturally oily with a low luster.
Physical Props Very hard, strong, heavy, stiff, shock resistant, and decay resistant. Not suitable for steam bending.
Working Props Very difficult to work by machine or by hand. Turns very well but natural resins clog sandpaper and make gluing difficult. Polishes easily and often requires no additional finishing.
Uses Ideal for underwater use due to self-lubricating properties. Used for ship propeller bushings and bearings, mallets, rollers, casters, small wheels, pulleys, stencil and chisel blocks, handles, and miscellaneous turned items.
Comments Probably the strongest and densest wood on the market.

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