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Grading UK grown larch for durability. IRG/WP 13-10808

Jones, D; Davies, Ivor; Sharphouse, P; Suttie, E

Authors

D Jones

P Sharphouse

E Suttie



Abstract

This paper reports on a joint study by BRE, the Forest Products Research Institute and TRADA Technology into the feasibility of grading UK grown larch to maximise its natural durability. The research was undertaken to assist sawmills and timber specifiers in the selection of larch timber suitable for external cladding. The findings indicate that the heartwood of larch has variable durability due to a range of factors. Of these, position within the stem is particularly important, with the inner ‘juvenile’ wood being less durable than the outer ‘mature’ heartwood. Although there is insufficient data available to accurately determine the extent of this low durability core, preliminary evidence suggests it occupies the inner 10 to 15 growth rings. The study has proposed practical grading rules that will enable most of the low durability timber to be selected out, though further work is required before this guidance can be definitive.

Citation

Jones, D., Davies, I., Sharphouse, P., & Suttie, E. (2013). Grading UK grown larch for durability. IRG/WP 13-10808. In Proceedings 2013 Annual Meeting of the International Research Group on wood Protection

Conference Name International Research Group on Wood Protection
Conference Location Stockholm
Start Date Jun 16, 2013
End Date Jun 21, 2013
Publication Date 2013
Deposit Date Apr 23, 2014
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Series Number IRG/WP 13-10808
Series ISSN 2000-8953
Book Title Proceedings 2013 Annual Meeting of the International Research Group on wood Protection
Keywords larch; natural durability; juvenile heartwood;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6844