Sitka Spruce

This majestic Spruce (Picea sitchensis) is named after the Southeast Alaskan island of Sitka. Sitka Spruce grows along a narrow band within 50 miles of the coast of Northern California to Alaska at elevations of 3,000' msl or below. In Oregon giants grow to diameters of up to 8-1/2' with 230' heights. We milled one of these giants and were able to produce quartersawn boards that were 36" and wider! Oregon and California trees have coarser grain while their Northern counterparts produce fine grained wood that is perfect for applications such as instrument soundboards, pianos, and wing spars in aircraft such as high performance biplanes. The wood is light brown on exposure and is stronger than steel for its weight. The famous airplane made by Howard Hughes during the second World War the "Spruce Goose" is not made of Spruce but rather laminated yellow Birch plywood. When in the woods, a non-scientific way to identify a Sitka Spruce is by grabbing its needles. If your hand is bleeding you have most likely found it! The needles grow all around the limbs and are very stiff and sharp. Found in the USA and Canada.