The heartwood of western larch is yellowish brown and the sapwood yellowish white. The sapwood is generally not more than 1 inch thick. The wood is stiff, moderately strong and hard, moderately high in shock resistance, and moderately heavy. It has moderately large shrinkage. The wood is usually straight grained, splits easily, and is subject to ring shake.
Knots are common but generally small and tight.
The properties of western larch are similar to those of Douglas-fir and sometimes they are sold mixed. It has moderately large shrinkage. The wood is usually straight grained, splits easily, and is subject to ring shake. Knots are common but generally small and tight. . It is rated as resistant to preservative treatment.