Hemlock

Origin: North America and West Coast.

Latin name.
Tsuga canadensis Carr.; T. heterophylla Sarg.

Natural vegetation area.
Coniferous forests in the eastern area of North America, from Canada and the Great Lakes to Alabama and Georgia; coniferous forests of the western side of the Rocky Mountains, with a short extension eastwards in Idaho and Montana.

TRUNK CHARACTERISTICS.
The trees reach 28-32 metres height, with diameter at breast height sometimes exceeding 1 metre. The particular feature of the trunks is their high degree of taper.

WOOD APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS.
The general colour is darkish, essentially without any differentiation; the wood sometimes features some darker striations and some whitish stains.

Specific weight.
In the fresh condition 700 kg/m3 on average; after normal seasoning 440 kg/m3.

Histological structure.
Medium texture; rather irregular grain, often with a clear spiral deviation.

Mechanical characteristics.
Axial compression strength 43 N/mm2 on average; bending strength 70 N/mm2; moderate hardness; the impact behaviour is low.

Modulus of elasticity.
9.500 N/mm2

Most frequent structural defects and alteration.
Grain deviation.

Durability.
Not very satisfactory since the wood can be easily deteriorated by fungal attack.

Texts taken from: “Manuale tecnico del legno”, FNALA CNA LEGNO LEGNO, by Prof. Ing. Guglielmo Giordano.

Species available for the following products: