Sitka spruce
Sitka spruce navigation
Named after the city of Sitka in Alaska, this conifer is one of the most important timber-producing tree species in Scotland’s forests. Its timber is used for everything from paper to musical instruments to boatbuilding.
Sitka spruce or Picea sitchensis accounts for about 50% of commercial planting in the UK.
Sitka is fast-growing, even in poor soils and on exposed ground. This makes it perfect for the Scottish climate.
It's so fast-growing that young trees can grow as much as 1.5 metres in a year. It’s therefore tricky to estimate a Sitka tree's age just by looking at it.
Facts and statistics
Here are some interesting facts about Sikta spruce.
600 years.
Grows up to 55 metres, developing drooping branches, but can reach 100 metres. It is the fifth largest conifer in the world.
Flattened solitary needles on pegs have a slatey-blue tint and sharp points.
Light brown cones have thin papery scales with crinkled edges.
Greyish brown bark which flakes off in round scales when mature.
West coast of North America, from Alaska to California.
This is a versatile timber, with smaller trees being of particular value for paper making due to their fibre length and white colour.
It's also used in the manufacture of different types of board. Sawlog material is used for pallets and packing cases with the better grades used for building.