Hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla Sarg.
English: Hemlock; Western Hemlock
West Coast of North America

Description

Sapwood: lightly whitter than heartwood.
Heartwood: light brown.
Fiber: straight and rarely wavy.
Grain: medium size to rough.
Characteristic defects: small lively knots.

Applications

Hollow carpentry and paneling, interior and semi-exterior: doors, windows, platforms, friezes, molding.
Carpentry.

Capacity of being impregnated

Sapwood: medium capacity of being impregnated.
Heartwood: low capacity of being impregnated.

Mechanization

Sawing process: easy with no difficulties.
Drying process: slow but easy to carry out, cracks and deformations are not frequent.
Planing process: no difficulties.
Gluing process: no difficulties.
Nailing and screwing process: no difficulties.
Finish: no difficulties.

Physical properties

Apparent density at 12% humidity 480 kg/m3 light wood.
Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.41 % stable wood.
- Relation between contractions 1.75% no tendency to deformity.
Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 1,4 softwood.