HEMLOCK - COMMERCIAL WOOD Commercially, there are two important species of hemlock—the Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), which is most abundant in the Lake States, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England; and Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), the largest stands of which are in the Pacific Northwest.
The Eastern hemlock is among the lighter woods in weight, fairly stiff and strong, and tougher than most softwoods. The Western hemlock is heavier, stronger, and stiffer than the Eastern, and, in mechanical properties, rather closely approaches Douglas fir. A large proportion of the hemlock lumber goes directly from the sawmill into general building operations.
Without distinction between species, the Table 80 Factory Uses of Hemlock Purpose Per cent Mill Work 62 Boxes and Crates. • 29 Car Construction 2 Furniture 1 Trunks and Valises. • 1 Refrigerators and Kitchen Cabinets 1 Other Uses 4 Total 10 0 reports indicate the factory uses of hemlock as given in Table 86.
More specifically, Eastern hemlock enters into the manufacture of the following articles: Bakers' machinery Refrigerators Beamboxes (weighing Sash machines) Seed boxes (machines) Boat parts Shop patterns (boats) Boxes Siding Car decking Signs Car doors Silos Crating Tobacco cases Flasks Trunks Flooring Tubs Ice boxes Vehicles Interior finish Washboards Pails Well machine parts Piano boxes Window frames Portible farm forges According to the Oregon and Washington reports, Western hemlock is used on the Pacific Coast for: Boat finish, boxes, caskets, cooperage, crates, fixtures (drawers, shelves), furniture (backing, couches, kitchen table tops), interior work (casing, ceiling, finish, flooring, moulding, wainscoting), pulp, sash and doors, screens and veneer.