Water uptake, in- and above ground durability of larch heartwood of two species ( Larix sibirica and Larix decidua) from two origins (Larix sib. from Siberia and Sweden, Larix dec. from Sweden) including a comparison to Scots pine sap- and heartwood were studied according to several standard durability tests. The study material was collected and tests started in 1998. The studied larch species and pine heartwood did not show a significant difference with regard to water uptake, while pine sapwood demonstrated significantly higher ability to absorb water. In order to determine the above ground durability of the wood species, an evaluation of the lap joint area was employed. A clear difference between the tested specimens was observed; the Siberian larch from Siberia showed the highest decay resistance while the pine sapwood was non-durable at all. The twelve-year-long exposure in ground contact confirmed the high durability of the Siberian larch wood from Siberia. Differences in the field performance were observed between the two field of exposure, i.e. Simlångsdalen and Ultuna.
Keywords: Decay, durability, field testing, Scots pine heartwood, Siberian larch, water uptake
Authors
Pockrandt M.
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Wood Science and Technology
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