Part Two of Seven: Western Hemlock (Hem-FIR) for Picnic Tables, Other Outdoor furniture and Garden Products
Western Hemlock also called Pacific Hemlock (the name I’m most familiar with), or sometimes “West Coast Hemlock”, scientific name: Tsuga heterophylla grows along the pacific coast East to the Western Cascades and from as far South as central California, North to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.
Western Hemlock generally grows 150 to 180 feet tall and has a diameter of 24” to 48”, although the old growth can be significantly larger, the largest diameter recorded was 108” and the tallest Western Hemlock was 259 feet
The lumber options are available primarily in structural grade (it is great for construction framing), but appearance and other grades are available. Western Hemlock is Slightly Below the Douglas Fir-Larch species combination as far as strength goes, and is stronger than the Spruce-Pine-Fir and the Douglas Fir species combinations and Pine. Western Hemlock is useful for a multitude of general-purpose applications, including Picnic Tables and other outdoor furniture applications, especially when treated, and is capable of meeting reasonable distance spans for construction.
Western Hemlock can be treated for use when it will be in contact with the ground or for above ground use. There are both oil based and water based preservatives that can be used. The water based preservatives are preferred, both for environmental reasons, and potentially for health reasons. These leave a clean, dry, odorless surface ready to be painted or stained.
Western Hemlock can be treated for use when it will be in contact with the ground or for above ground use. There are both oil based and water based preservatives that can be used. The water based preservatives are preferred, both for environmental reasons, and potentially for health reasons. These leave a clean, dry, odorless surface ready to be painted or stained.
Western Hemlock is an inexpensive wood preferred for use in construction, primarily for framing, but it is also used for furniture. it is fairly easy to work using both hand or machine tools, it does not have an over abundance of resin pockets, its resistance to splitting.
