Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Genus: Tsuga · Family: Pinaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Softwood
Native Range
North America
Avg. Dried Weight
28 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
500 lbf
Decay Resistance
Non-Durable
Typical Color
Light Brown
Stability
Medium
Outdoor Suitability
Poor
Workability
Easy
Availability
Common in U.S.
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Eastern Hemlock is harder than 12% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Soft
Overview
Professional Summary
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a common North American softwood that was historically one of the most important tanning-bark trees and is now used primarily for construction lumber, timber framing, and rustic applications. Light at 28 lb/ft³ with modest mechanical properties, it's serviceable and affordable.
In Plain English
Eastern Hemlock is a common construction softwood in the northeastern US — not exciting, but it gets the job done for framing, barn beams, and rustic projects. Old hemlock beams in antique barns are a prized reclaimed material.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Construction framing, timber framing, rustic furniture, pallets, and crating. Reclaimed hemlock beams are valued for rustic design.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Not durable outdoors. Prone to ring shake (separation along growth rings). Brittle around knots. Hemlock woolly adelgid is devastating forests.
Native Distribution
Find Substitutes
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Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar light brown color that are easily confused with Eastern Hemlock. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
