Hemlock

Photo and data from Forest World

Common Names

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Pacific Coast hemlock

Pacific hemlock

Western hemlock

West coast hemlock

Common Uses

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Ceiling

Flooring

Paneling

Plywood

Railroad cars

Cabin construction

Decks

Decorative plywood

Exterior trim & siding

Framing

Interior construction

Joists

Porch columns

Sub-flooring

Wainscotting

Species Distribution

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REGIONS:

North America

COUNTRIES:

Canada

United States

Physical and Environmental Profile

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Environmental Profile

Western hemlock is reported to be rather widespread,
abundant, and secure globally, although it may be rare in some parts of its range
(Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily
on the number of occurrences of the species globally).

Distribution

Western hemlock is reported to occur in
Alberta and on the coast of British Columbia in Canada.
In the United States it is reported to be distributed in
Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington.
It usually occurs in dense pure stands with Sitka spruce and other conifers.
It thrives well in moist, acid soils,
especially flats and lower slopes.
Hemlock is also reported to grow in
the forests of Japan, China, and India.

Product Sources

It is currently unknown whether some material from this species
is available from sustainably managed, salvaged, recycled, or other environmentally responsible sources.

Hemlock is reported to be abundant in supply in the United States and Canada.
It is also widely used in Japan.
One of the most valuable sources of timber in Canada,
Western hemlock is reported to be exported around the world.

Apart from timber, the bark of Western hemlock is reported to yield large
quantities of tannin which is used as mud additive in oil-well drilling.

Tree Data

Although Western hemlock is the state tree of Washington,
it is reported to grow more extensively in Alaska.
It is reported to be the largest of the hemlocks,
and produces a long, slender, and often fluted trunk which
is 36 to 48 inches (90 to 120 m) in diameter.
The height of the mature tree is reported to be often 100 to 150 feet (30 to 46 m).

Sapwood Color

The sapwood is reported to be about 3 to 5 inches (7 to 13 cm) in width,
and is difficult to differentiate from the heartwood.

Heartwood Color

The wood is whitish to pale yellowish brown.
The latewood region is often tinged with a roseate, purplish, or reddish-brown color.
Dark streaks (bird pecks) caused by maggots of a small black fly (chilosia alaskensis)
are reported to be often present, and are often used to identify the wood.
Western hemlock and Amabilis fir (Abies amabilis ) are reported to be very similar
in appearance and are difficult to separate by inspection.

Grain

Grain is generally straight and even.

Texture

Texture is described as medium to fine, and transition from early wood to latewood is reported to be subtle.

Odor

Wet wood may have a sour odor. There is no distinctive taste.

Natural Durability

The timber is reported to have very little natural resistance to decay,
and should not be used under high decay hazard conditions unless
it is properly and adequately protected.

Blunting

The wood is reported to work with little dulling effect on cutters.

Planing

Western hemlock is reported to have very good planing properties.

Turning

The material is reported to turn very well.

Moulding

Moulding qualities are rated as very good.

Boring

Western hemlock is reported to respond well to boring.

Mortising

The wood is reported to have very good mortising characteristics.

Nailing

The material is reported to have very good resistance to splitting in nailing,
especially if it is not too close to the edges.
Nail holding properties are very good.

Screwing

Screwing properties are rated as very good, and screw-holding qualities are very good.

Gluing

Gluing characteristics are rated as very good.

Staining

Properly dried wood is reported to be easy to stain.

Painting

Painting properties are reported to be good.

Strength Properties

One of the most common trees in the Pacific Northwest,
Western hemlock is reported to form wide, thick groves.
Its timber is a primary source of pulwood,
and also yields cellulose which is used for making cellophane,
rayon, yarns, and plastics.
Compared to Eastern hemlock, the wood is reported to be finer textured,
straight-grained, and lighter in weight.
Its machining properties are reported to be similar to the pines,
and has also been compared to Douglas-fir and Spruce in character.
Bending strength in the air-dry condition is fairly high.
Crushing strength is also high.
Surfaces may dent or scratch easily since the wood is soft.
Weight is moderate.

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Reference Sources

Numerical Data Source

Kaiser, J. 1990. Wood of the Month - Hemlock: The Hardworking Softwood.
Wood of the Month Annual,
Supplement to Wood and Wood Products, September, 1990. Page 12A.