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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Picea sitchensis

Trade Name
Sitka spruce

Family Name
Pinaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Black spruce, Californian coast spruce, Coast spruce, Menzies spruce, Silk spruce, Silver spruce, Sitka spruce, Spruce, Tideland spruce, Western spruce, Yellow spruce

Regions of Distribution
North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Canada, United States

Common Uses
Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Ceiling, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory construction, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Oars, Packing cases, Pallets, Paneling , Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Rough construction, Siding, Utility poles, Vehicle parts, Wainscotting

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Widespread
Rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery of its range
Globally secure
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant


Distribution Overview
Sitka spruce occurs in British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington. It grows in coastal forests in the fog belt, which is a narrow strip containing high rainfall and cool climate, and is usually found in pure stands and in association with Western hemlock at elevations of up to 3000 feet (914 m) in Alaska, and below 1200 feet (366 m) in California.

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
Yellow
Orange
White
Purple
Pink
Pale red to pink
White to cream
Pale brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Brown
Reddish brown
Dark brown

The heartwood is pinkish, or light pinkish yellow to pale brown with a purplish cast. The color darkens upon exposure to silvery brown with a faint tinge of red.

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Color not distinct from heartwood
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Well defined
Light yellow brown or pale orange brown, eventually aging into deep golden-brown
Creamy white

Merges gradually into the heartwood

Grain
Straight
Figure
Distinct (figure)
Growth rings (figure)
Spiral
Even
Crossed
Very fine
Other (figure)

Generally straight, but not always
Spiral
Clear growth rings (figure)
Distinct figure
Other figure
Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct
Even
Distinct figure
Dimpled on tangential surfaces.

Distinct annual rings are important when quartersawing soundboards for musical instruments

Texture
Medium
Coarse
Fine
Fine
Medium
Fine to medium
Even textured
Coarse


Luster
Low
Medium
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous


Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Moderately durable
Durable
Perishable
Non-resistant to termites
Non-resistant to marine borers
Non-durable
Non durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Heartwood has very little resistance to decay

Sitka spruce should not be used under high decay hazard conitions without chemical protection. Standing trees are vulnerable to blowdowns, as well as attack by insects, disease organisms and animals.

Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
Dry at a moderate speed
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
UK=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6
UK=J US=T12B5/T11B3


Drying Defects
Resin Exudation
Slight end splitting
Slight twist/warp
Expect slight degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Moderate collapse and honeycombing

Checks, splits, and raised grain are some of the common drying degrades found in young growth Sitka spruce. The defects are often caused by the presence of juvenile wood

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Gum Exudation
Slowly
Reconditioning Treatement
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Easy
Moderate

Sitka spruce air-seasons and kiln-dry readily

Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Naturally dries slowly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is unknown


Tree Size
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Tree height is 10-20 m


Sitka spruce is vigorous and fast-growing and is considered to be the world's largest spruce. it is tall and has a straight trunk that is reported to yiels considerable amounts of clear lumber. The diameter of the trunk is usually 36 to 72 inches (90 to 180 cm) above buttresses, but may be as large as 84 inches (213 cm). The largest recorded is 168 inches (416 cm) in the state of Washington. Forest-grown trees are, however, smaller

Product Sources
Sitka spruce is capable of producing large volumes of clear, straight-grained lumber because of its size. The wood is sometimes sold in a mixture with White spruce, True firs, and other softwoods which makes it rather difficult to isolate commercially. Material for musical instruments has a market of its own, and the selection process is highly specialized. Sitka spruce is the primary source of timber in Alaska.

Substitutes
Simarouba (Simarouba amara)

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Little
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Little blunting effect on cutting tools


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Easy
Responds very well to boring


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Gum-Up
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Moderate to saw
Rather small


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Excellent gluing properties


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Finishes well
Easy to mortise
Very good mortising characteristics


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Very good moulding properties


Movement in Service
Stable
Small


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Holds satisfactorily
Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Very good planing properties

Sitka spruce is rated as one of the easiest woods to cut

Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Resistance to impregnation is moderate.


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Difficult to machine

Wood from fast-grown trees requires very sharp cutting edges to avoid tearing of earlywood bands. The timber is, however, generally easy to work with hand tools in most operations.

Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Routing yields good results
Routing is easy


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Sanding characteristics are rather good

Screwing
Easy to screw
Screwing yields good results
Screwing yields satisfactory results
Good screw holding properties
Excellent screwing properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fair to Good Results
Good results
Easy to turn

The wood is reported to turn very well, especially old growth knot-free stock

Veneering Qualities
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
Difficult to veneer
Suitable for peeling
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Moderately easy to veneer
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Good steam bending properties


Painting
Good results
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Finish is generally good
Good staining qualities
Finish is generally satisfactory


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Medium
Low
Low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Low
Very small
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Small
Medium
Low
31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness (total work) = very low
Small
Mor/Bending strength = very low
Medium
Medium
Max. crushing strength = very low
Low
High

Itka spruce has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios. Bending strength is in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) medium. It has medium compression strength parallel to grain. The wood is soft, and surfaces may dent easily. Weight is moderate, and density is average, or medium. Its natural resonance qualities make Sitka spruce an ideal choice for musical instrument soundboards.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength575110000psi
Crushing Strength274603psi
Density27lbs/ft3
Hardness417lbs
Impact Strength2227inches
Maximum Crushing Strength28555454psi
Shearing Strength1059psi
Static Bending30386468psi
Stiffness123915791000 psi
Toughness142inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load58inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.320.36
Weight2525lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength404703kg/cm2
Crushing Strength1942kg/cm2
Density432kg/m3
Hardness189kg
Impact Strength5568cm
Maximum Crushing Strength200383kg/cm2
Shearing Strength74kg/cm2
Static Bending213454kg/cm2
Stiffness871111000 kg/cm2
Toughness163cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.320.36
Weight400400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA

Canadian Forestry Service. 1981. Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors. Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada.

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP

Flynn Jr., J.H. 1993. Picea sitchensis - Sitka spruce. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 265-266.

Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479

Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers

Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London

T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Western Wood Products Association. 19__. Softwoods of the Western USA. Published and Distributed by the Western Wood Products Association, Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon.

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85

Woodfin, R.O.,1973,American Woods Sitka Spruce,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-265