Which wood is slightly stronger than spruce?

The correct answer is Western hemlock, which is known to have properties that make it slightly stronger than spruce. In comparing wood types, strength can be measured in terms of modulus of elasticity and bending strength. Western hemlock, while not as commonly used as spruce, exhibits good strength characteristics and a relatively high stiffness-to-weight ratio, making it a strong choice for various applications in aviation and other industries.

In contrast, other options do not exceed the strength of spruce in the same way. Northern white pine is lighter and generally less dense, which contributes to its lower strength in comparison. Douglas fir is well-regarded for its strength, but its specific characteristics can vary widely based on growing conditions, and it does not uniformly surpass spruce in all contexts. Noble fir, while also strong, does not consistently align with the strength ratings needed to outmatch spruce across various metrics. Thus, Western hemlock stands out for its balance of strength and workability, making it the best candidate in this scenario.