Larch: The Impact of the Russia/Ukraine War, How to Avoid Conflict Timber and The Benefits of British Larch

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022, Siberian larch has been classified as a conflict timber and cannot be legally imported from Russia into Britain. The categorisation of timber from Russia and Belarus as conflict timber follows the adoption of the Resolution on Aggression against Ukraine by the United Nations General Assembly, which “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine […] [and] the involvement of Belarus”.

Prior to the start of the war, Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) was a popular choice for external cladding due to its durability and affordability, however, since the invasion we have looked to British larch (Larix decidua) as an excellent alternative.

In this blog post, we’ll explain the definition of conflict timber, how to identify and avoid conflict timber, and the benefits of British larch as a replacement for Siberian larch.

Our larch shakes, used in a recent project for Archer + Braun Architects. Read about the project here.

What are conflict timbers?

Defining conflict timbers

Conflict timber is timber that comes from areas with conflict, unrest, or illegal logging. The trade of conflict timber can result in a range of issues, including human rights abuses, environmental degradation, the use of profits to fund armed groups resulting in economic damage and the perpetuation of the conflict.  

Any timber sourced from lands which are in conflict cannot be FSC or PEFC-certified.

How to identify conflict timber

Identify the provenance of the timber. You may choose to conduct your own research into the origin of the timber prior to making your purchase. Alternatively, use a trusted supplier who responsibly source their timber and are a member of a body such as Timber Development UK  and signatories to a Responsible Purchasing Policy (click here for more information on WL West’s sustainable and certified timber credentials). 

Research the most common species 

Currently, the most prevalent conflict timber species are from Russia and Belarus, including Siberian larch and Russian birch. WL West Timber stopped selling any timber from Russia and Belarus back in 2022 and we are able to offer British larch as a valuable substitute for Siberian larch. 

How to choose ethical timber

Best practice is to use a reputable timber supplier, such as WL West Timber, with the relevant accreditations, who source their timber sustainably and who hold Chain of Custody certificates from certifying bodies such as FSC®, PEFC and GiB (Grown in Britain) if required. Visit our Certified Timber page for details of our certifications. It should be noted that timber does not have to be part of one of these schemes to be sustainable. Much of the forestry across the Northern Hemisphere is not covered by these schemes, but will be controlled by the relevant country’s government.

Our homegrown British larch is a sustainable timber and offers excellent value for money. Discover our larch cladding here.

The Benefits of British Larch 

Appearance

British larch has a lovely warm pale pink hue with attractive grain and regular small dark knots. Flatsawn sections of homegrown larch can be full of character, with interesting patterns in the growth rings. It has a medium to fine texture, a straight or spiral grain and knots are common but generally small.

Versatility & Uses

A good all-rounder, fresh sawn British larch is ideal for structural work, cladding and roofing. It can also be used for furniture, flooring and joinery work, although you will need to consider the knot ratio and ensure you are selecting the right pieces of timber for your specific project.

Unlike some other timbers, larch cladding or shakes can be treated, painted or stained to achieve a desired finish. Click here for a striking contemporary project using larch shakes treated with a black-coloured top coat.

Durability

The high resin ratio in larch makes it a naturally durable timber that does not require treatment after installation. The expected lifespan for larch cladding would be at least 30 years.

Movement

As larch is a softwood, it will move throughout its life: expanding, shrinking and splitting slightly over time. Proper fixing is therefore necessary.

Availability

As British larch is cut locally it means there is more flexibility as regards the dimensions it can be cut to when fresh sawn. This is an important benefit when compared to imported air or kiln-dried timber which comes in a set range of dimensions.

Cost

Larch is a cost-effective choice and offers excellent value for money. As it has limited maintenance requirements there will also potentially be cost-savings in this area over the life of the product.

Sustainability

British larch has a low carbon footprint. Our larch stock is plentiful and sourced from well-managed forests. The species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. 

Make the most of our expertise

If you are considering using larch for your next project, contact our expert team for advice and a quote. Buying British is a great option!

Tel: 01798 861611

Email: sales@wlwest.co.uk