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Anti-stain chemical
A chemical that is applied to timber to prevent or retard chemical or fungal stain development.
Western Hemlock | Tsuga heterophylla
Western Hemlock – a softwood that produces a beautiful pale timber with a uniform, attractive grain perfect for a wide range of commercial uses from pulp and construction to furniture and carving.
Western Hemlock is a softwood native to North America. It produces a lustrous pale timber that is an attractive choice for carving.
Other Names: West Coast Hemlock, Pacific Coast Hemlock, Alaska Pine, Hemlock Spruce, British Columbian Hemlock, Canada Pine, Hem Fir
Overview
Western Hemlock is a valuable tree with many commercial uses. It is often marketed as Hem-fir, as it has similar design values to the true firs: California Red, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, Pacific Silver Fir and White Fir. It is one of ten Hemlock species and is considered a premium timber.
Western Hemlock is an evergreen tree from North America. It grows prolifically from the coastline of northern Sonoma County, California, north to the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska and east to Idaho and Montana, and is widely harvested in these regions.
Growing from 30 to 50 metres tall, trees are characterised by small oval cones and flat, short needles. Their cinnamon coloured bark is furrowed and attractive.
The timber is used in construction but as a softwood is not durable and requires treatment for external use. External and interior construction applications include joinery, cabinetry, flooring, and ceilings. It also is a popular choice for creating doors, windows, parts of staircases, ladders, flooring, paneling, broom handles, crates, pallets and packing cases as well as other architectural millwork items.
Western Hemlock is one of the best pulp woods for paper and paperboard products. Traditionally, however, Indigenous artisans used the easily worked timber for carving into spoons, combs, roasting spits and giant feast dishes.
In agro-forestry, Western Hemlock is used to help reduce stream bank erosion, and increase biodiversity. It has been used to produce dimethyl sulfide, the substance that gives an odour to natural gas, which could otherwise go undetected; and conidendrol, produced from Hemlock wastes, which slows oxidation.
Properties
Shrinkage
| Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
Tangential: |
|||||
| 5.0 | |||||
| Radial: | 2 - 3 |
Strength Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium High | Medium | Reasonably Low | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | |
| Seasoned: | SD1 | SD2 | SD3 | SD4 | SD5 | SD6 | SD7 | SD8 |
Stress Grade
| Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
| Unseasoned: | F8 | F7 | F5 | F4 | |
| Seasoned: | F14 | F11 | F8 | F7 | F5 |
Density per Standard
| Unseasoned: | 800 kg/m3 |
|---|---|
| Seasoned: | 500 kg/m3 |
Joint Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 |
| Seasoned: | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | JD4 | JD5 | JD6 |
Colour
| White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
Mechanical Properties
| Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: |
42-50 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
70-88 |
| Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
8.4-9.5 |
| Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
10-12 |
| Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: |
21-25 |
| Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
43-52 |
| Toughness - Unseasoned: |
Low - up to 15 Nm |
| Toughness - Seasoned: |
Low - up to 15 Nm |
| Hardness - Unseasoned: |
1.9-2.2 |
| Hardness - Seasoned: |
2.6-3 |
Durability
| Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
| (0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
| In-Ground: |
||||
| (0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
| Above ground: |
||||
| (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
| Marine Borer Resistance: |
| Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
Not Susceptible |
|---|---|
| Termite Resistance: |
Not Resistant |
Fire Properties
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
| EFH Ignitibility: |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| EFH Spread-of-Flame Index: |
|||||||||||
| EFH Smoke-Developed Index: |
| 1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
| Fire Properties Group Number: |
| Group Number - Other: | 3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm |
|---|---|
| Average Specific Extinction Area: |
<250 |
| Bushfire Resistance: |
Not Tested |
Description
| Botanical Name: | Tsuga heterophylla |
|---|---|
| Preferred Common Name: | Western Hemlock |
| Other Names: | West Coast Hemlock, Pacific Coast Hemlock, Alaska Pine, Hemlock Spruce, British Columbian Hemlock, Canada Pine, Hem Fir |
| Species Type: | Softwood |
Appearance
Timber of the Western Hemlock has a natural lustre. The tree's heartwood has a pale, cream colour with distinctive growth marks and a fairly even texture. This beautiful pale timber produces few knots and displays a uniform, attractive grain. Sometimes Western Hemlock can display a slight lavender cast, especially around the knots and in the transition area between the spring and summerwood growth rings. Attractive, delicate, dark grey or black streaks may be apparent in the wood. There is little variation in colour between the heartwood and sapwood, and they are often indistinguishable from one another.
Common Applications
Western Hemlock timber is used in construction but is not recommended for external use without treatment. Preservative pressure-treated timber products are both visually appealing and strong, and among the more economical species for decks and other outdoor amenities. Internal uses include joinery and cabinetry.
Some timbers of this species are fine grained and even textured, lending themselves to attractive wood paneling and trims, windows, parts of staircases, and flooring. Handsome solid wood doors, louvers, shutters, moulding and furniture can all be manufactured from Western Hemlock.
The timber has been used to make broom handles, and case goods such as crates, pallets and packing cases and other architectural millwork items. It is one of the best pulp woods for paper and paperboard products.
Lower-grade knotty products are useful for those utilitarian applications in construction where economy governs, such as stud walls.
Common Form
Sawn
Workability
Light in weight and straight in grain, Western Hemlock's workability has been compared to that of pine, although it does weigh 480kg/cubic metre when seasoned. Builders favour this species because it is resistant to splitting, holds nails and screws securely and saws easily without splintering.
The initially high moisture content of Western Hemlock demands careful drying to avoid surface checking and ensure uniform drying in thick stock.
The wood has an even grain and resists scraping, which makes it easy to machine. Western Hemlock timber has a moderate steam-bending rating and works well with both hand and machine tools with little dulling of cutting edges. This timber has medium bending and crushing strength. It is not hard or stiff, giving it low durability. Timber of this species can be easily glued, stained, painted or varnished.
Origin of Timber
North America
Readily Available
NSW, VIC
Availability - Further Information
Western Hemlock has limited availability in all States except Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, where it is common.
Source of Timber
Native Forest, Plantation
Applications
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Decking
Timber decking creates spaces that are functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. With the right design and care a timber deck will make a valuable addition to any home or business, creating an outdoor living space that will be enjoyed for years to come.
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Doors
Timber is one of the most popular and superior material choices for both internal and external doors. Whether manufactured from solid or engineered timber, there are many stylish and practical options that won't compromise on strength and structural performance. A distinctive timber door can also create visual impact, adding value to any commercial or domestic building.
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Flooring
Whether for structural or finished flooring applications, timber offers durability, versatility and adaptability. The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring has proved enduringly popular in a wide variety of interior settings.
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Framing
Since people began building simple shelters, wooden framing has played an important role in shaping structures of many kinds. One of the most popular types of wooden framing is known as lightweight timber construction.
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Interior Rails and Balustrades
With its natural beauty and inherent strength, timber is a popular material choice in internal balustrade construction. Commonly built from treated softwoods and durable hardwoods, interior balustrades and handrails are typically finished with a clear lacquer to generate the most natural result.
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Interior Stairs
Timber should be the material of choice for designers seeking internal staircases of strength, beauty and durability. The construction procedure described here applies to most general type stairs of either conventional or contemporary construction.
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Internal Paneling
Timber paneling creates interiors as warm as they are stylish. Commonly utilising an MDF or plywood substrate, internal timber paneling is natural and versatile and comes as either solid natural timber panels or as sheets of engineered wood products
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Timber Joinery Products
Timber joinery products offer a classic, unique and stylish touch to any interior design.
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Timber Mouldings
Mouldings are extremely versatile and durable, enhancing the aesthetics of any interior and functioning as the icing on the cake for designs with a focus on beauty and splendour.
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Windows
With natural aesthetic appeal, versatility and sound structural performance, timber provides excellent window joinery design options. Whether stained to bring out natural tones, or painted to compliment particular décors, timber windows can be tailored to suit a huge variety of styles and can be installed into any type of building.
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