TAMARACK - COMMERCIAL WOOD With the exception of longleaf pine, tamarack (Larix laricina) is the heaviest and one of the strongest and toughest softwoods. It is rated among the more durable woods, and finds its largest use for general building purposes, and especially for heavy timbers.
Lumber from Eastern tamarack is manufactured chiefly in the Lake States; while the Western tamarack, or larch (Larix occidentalis), is produced chiefly in the region known as the "Inland Empire"—a section of common commercial interests comprising western Montana, northern Idaho, and eastern Washington.
Larch is a close-grained, heavy softwood of moderate strength and stiffness.
The government reports indicate that the factory uses for tamarack and larch, without distinction as to species, are as shown in Table 102.
Table 102 Factory Uses of Tamarack Purpose Per Cent Mill Work 77 Tanks and Silos 8 Boxes and Crates 6 Paving and Conduits 4 Car Construction 1 Other Uses 4 Total 100 Eastern tamarack is used to a greater or less extent for: Car construction Molding Boat floors Pails Boat keels Refrigerators Boat stringers Ship knees Boxes Silos Ceiling Tanks Crating Tubs Culm pipe (mines) Water pipes Excelsior Windmills Flooring Woodwool Interior finish Western tamarack or larch is used for general building purposes, interior finish, boat frames, keels, ribs, planking, and decking, door and window casing, fruit and butter boxes, etc.