Wood Species Guide
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Also called: Canadian Hemlock, Hemlock Spruce, Spruce Pine (Appalachian name)
About the name “Eastern Hemlock”
In parts of the Appalachians hemlock is called spruce pine, a name that properly belongs to Pinus glabra. The tree has nothing to do with poison hemlock, a weedy plant in the carrot family.
What Eastern Hemlock looks like
Light buff to pale reddish brown, with little contrast between heartwood and sapwood. It has a slightly darker latewood band.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Ring shake (separation along growth rings) and splintery edges are common.
Working Eastern Hemlock: planing, cutting and gluing
Machines fairly easily but can splinter and chip, especially at knots and along ring shakes. It is brittle compared with white pine. It holds nails well once pre-drilled near ends, and it has little resin.
Finishing Eastern Hemlock: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Paints and stains reasonably well, though the uneven texture can look blotchy. Seal coat before epoxy. With no pitch, it does not bleed resin through finishes.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not durable and susceptible to insects, though it is often used for rough barn siding where it weathers gray. In Florida, keep it indoors or treat it.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Eastern hemlock is a rough timber and barn wood: framing, beams, barn siding, pallets and rustic reclaimed boards. Reclaimed hemlock barn siding is popular for accent walls and shelves. It is too splintery for most fine furniture. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Eastern Hemlock
Framing, timbers, barn siding, pallets, crates, plywood and pulp.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List because the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect, is killing trees across much of its range.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Reactions are uncommon. Hemlock dust can irritate skin and airways in some people.
- In the shop
- Dust collection and a mask when sanding; gloves for rough barn wood
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Hemlock dust is occasionally reported to cause skin irritation. Use dust collection and a mask when sanding.
Eastern Hemlock in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Eastern Hemlock listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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