American Cherry VS European Larch
- Harder wear surface (Janka 950 vs 740 lbf)
- Better flame-spread class (Class B vs Class C)
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | American Cherry |
| Strength (MOR) | European Larch |
| Stiffness (MOE) | European Larch |
| Flame spread | American Cherry |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | American Cherry |
Engineering data
| Property | American Cherry | European Larch |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 950WD lbf | 740WD lbf |
| Density | 0.5FPL g/cm³ | 0.55WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 10.3FPL GPa | 11.8WD GPa |
| MOR | 85.0FPL MPa | 90.0WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 3 Moderately Durable | Class 3 Moderately Durable |
| Stability | Good | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 3.7WD % | 4.2WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 7.1WD % | 8.2WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.92 | 1.95 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 American Cherry | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 American Cherry | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 American Cherry | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 European Larch | ★★★☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
American Cherry
Advantages relative to European Larch
- Janka is 950 lbf vs 740 lbf, about 28% harder
- Fire (E84) is Class B vs Class C — one class better on flame-spread rating
Limitations relative to European Larch
- MOE is 10.3 GPa vs 11.8 GPa, about 13% lower
European Larch
Advantages relative to American Cherry
- MOE is 11.8 GPa vs 10.3 GPa, about 15% higher
Limitations relative to American Cherry
- Janka is 740 lbf vs 950 lbf, about 22% lower
- Fire (E84) is Class C vs Class B — one class lower on flame-spread rating
Recommendation
Choose American Cherry if…
- Fine furniture, cabinetmaking, decorative panelling, mouldings and interior joinery where dent resistance and a Class B fire class both matter in specification
- Turnery and pattern-making where the harder surface is the working requirement
Choose European Larch if…
- Exterior cladding, boat-building, decking, structural work and heavy joinery where the higher stiffness is what the span or loading demands
- Interior flooring where the softwood cost profile is acceptable and dent resistance is not the primary specification
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, American Cherry or European Larch?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 3, Moderately Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: American Cherry moves 7.1% tangentially against 8.2%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 3, and tangential movement runs 7.1% for American Cherry against 8.2% for European Larch — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and American Cherry holds its dimension marginally better. American Cherry gives the harder wearing surface at 950 lbf; American Cherry is the lighter section at 0.50 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is American Cherry harder than European Larch?
Yes — Janka 950 lbf vs 740 lbf.