Scientific name

Tsuga heterophylla Sarg.

Other names

English: Hemlock; Western Hemlock

Geographic origin

West Coast of North America

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: Lightly whitter than Heartwood
&;8226; Heartwood: light brown
&;8226; Fiber: Straight and rarely wavy
&;8226; Grain: medium size to rough
&;8226; Characteristic defects: small lively knots

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Medium capacity of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: Low capacity of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy. No difficulties
&;8226; Drying process: Slow but easy to carry out, cracks and deformations are not frequent
&;8226; Planing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity
480 kg/m3 light wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient
0.41 % stable wood
- Relation between contractions 1.75% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 1.4 Softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 780 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 108,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 450 kg/cm2

Observations

It can have resin bags