Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
A rustic construction softwood with a coarse, uneven texture, often chosen for barn timbers and reclaimed-look projects.
Commonly built
- Barn timbers
- Rustic beams
- Utility framing
Appearance
Pale brown with a coarse, sometimes streaky grain and frequent knots.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Splintery and prone to tearout compared to pine or fir; sharp tools are important. Holds fasteners well.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn eastern hemlock panel moves roughly 0.37 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Eastern Hemlock move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Eastern Hemlock?
Eastern Hemlock has a Janka hardness of 500 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Eastern Hemlock suitable for outdoor use?
Eastern Hemlock is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Eastern Hemlock to work with?
Eastern Hemlock has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Eastern Hemlock move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn eastern hemlock panel moves roughly 0.37 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used eastern hemlock, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.