Étude comparative des caractéristiques physiques et mécaniques du bois des mélèzes d'Europe (Larix decidua Mill.), du Japon (Larix kaempferi (Lambert) Carr.) et de leur hybride (Larix x eurolepis Henry)

Abstract

Comparison study of physical and mechanical characteristics of European (Larix decidua Mill.), Japanese (Larix kaempferi (Lambert) Carr.) and hybrid (Larix x eurolepis Henry) larch woods. This present research aims to compare physical and mechanical characteristics between two larch species and their hybrid (Larix decidua Mill., Larix kaempferi (Lambert) Carr. et Larix x eurolepis Henry). From each species, normalised samples have been sawn from five trees, and submitted to normalised tests according to the norms NBN 225, NF B 51-016 and DIN 52189. The Japanese (Larix kaempferi (Lambert) Carr.) and hybrid (Larix x eurolepis Henry) larches present similar physical and mechanical properties, always lower than those observed for the European one. This is partly explained by a higher mean wood density for this species. Whatever the species, juvenile wood presents lower physical and mechanical properties than mature wood. The larch wood produced in the Walloon Region presents a large technological potential that it is interesting to promote, without forgetting to adapt the classification procedures. Consequently, larch appears to be a versatile species, which can be used for numerous purposes, inside as well as outside.

Keywords

• Larix
• juvenile wood
• mature wood
• physical characteristics
• mechanical characteristics
• technology
• Belgium