Larch is found throughout Europe, although the best stands are from southern Poland into eastern Europe.  This softwood has a dark brown to red-brown color, and is available as veneer in both flat sliced and quarter sliced versions.

This particular example shows what larch looks like when fumed.  Fuming is a process through which veneers and lumber are set in a chamber that regulates temperature, air flow and humidity.  A catalyst – in this case a small amount of ammonia is placed in the chamber as well.  The ammonia reacts with the natural tannin in the wood, resulting over time in the darker color we see in this example.  The reaction is neutralized with another additive to stop the process.  Most species of wood can be fumed, and the process is not new, it’s only been better developed.