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| ## sitka spruce {#sitka-spruce .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Picea sitchensis* (Bong.) Carr.                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = PISI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.386111111111111in" height="1.551388888888889in"}

# Alternative Names

sitka spur, coast west spruce, coast spruce, tideland spruce, yellow
spruce, western spruce, silver spruce, menzies' spruce

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The sharp needles of spruce were believed to have
special powers for protection against evil thoughts (Pojar & MacKinnon
1994). The Ditidaht and other Nuu-chah-nulth peoples used the boughs in
winter dance ceremonies to protect the dancers and scare spectators
(Ibid.). The inner bark was eaten fresh, or dried into cakes and eaten
with berries. It was also dried and grounded into a powder and used as a
thickener in soups or added to cereals when making bread.

The roots were burnt over an open fire to remove the bark, then dried
and split to make hats and ropes (Moerman 1998). The roots were also
used by several native North American tribes to make tightly woven
baskets that would hold water (Lauriault 1989). A pitch obtained from
the tree was used as glue or as a protective varnish-like coat on wood
(Moerman 1998).

Sitka spruce was widely employed medicinally by several native North
American Indian tribes who used it especially for its antiseptic
qualities in the treatment of lung complaints, sores and wounds (Moerman
1998). It has been chewed in the treatment of throat problems, coughs,
and colds (Ibid.). Sitka spruce pitch was also used as a medicine for
gonorrhea, syphilis, internal swelling, and toothaches (Pojar &
MacKinnon 1994). A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment
of diarrhea.

*Economic*: Sitka spruce produces high-grade lumber that is the most
important wood for airplane and glider construction. In World War II,
this wood was utilized in the British Mosquito bombers (Viereck & Little
1972). Other important uses are oars, ladders, scaffolding, and boats,
particularly racing sculls (Ibid.). This wood is valued in making piano
sounding boards and guitars. It is harvested as saw timber and pulpwood
and processed into lumber, plywood and various paper products.

*Landscaping & Wildlife*: Sitka spruce is often planted as an ornamental
tree in the eastern and northern states and in western and northern
Europe (Sargent 1961). This forest species provides habitat for a large
variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. It is browsed only
in the spring by a variety of birds.

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

# Description

*General*: Spruce Family (Pinaceae). Sitka spruce is a large, native,
evergreen tree that can grow up to two hundred feet in height. The
needles are yellowish-green to bluish-green, stiff, very sharp, 1 to 1½
inches long, with white lines of stomata on the upper surface (Pojar &
MacKinnon 1994). The cones are one to four inches long, hanging down,
with very thin scales, rounded, and irregularly toothed. The bark is
gray and smooth on small trunks, becoming dark purplish-brown on older
trunks.

*Distribution*: Sitka spruce is native to the Pacific Coast region from
Alaska, to western British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and
northwestern California. For current distribution, please consult the
Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation 

*Picea sitchensis* is often found on moist well-drained sites such as
alluvial floodplains, marine terraces, and headlands (Pojar & MacKinnon
1994). This species prefers full sun and is intolerant of shade and
atmospheric pollution. Sitka spruce grows in pure stands, more often
mixed with western hemlock, Douglas fir, western redcedar, yellow cedar,
grand fir, red alder, and black cottonwood (Farrar 1995).

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: *Picea sitchensis* seed requires no pretreatment
if the seed is sown fresh, however a period of cold unifies and hastens
germination (Dirr & Heuser 1987). Sow stored seeds as early in the year
as possible. Preferably sow the seeds in a position in light shade.
Seeds should be stored in a cool place and should not be allowed to dry
out. Put seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to
handle and grow them in the greenhouse for the first winter. They can be
planted into their permanent positions in early summer of the following
year.

*Propagation by Cuttings*: The cuttings, five to ten centimeters long,
are cut in June with a heel of older wood, treated with 3000 ppm
IBA-talc, and placed in sand without removal of the needles (Dirr &
Heuser 1987). After rooting, the cuttings have one to two roots that
should be pruned to stimulate lateral root development before
transplanting to flats. Staking is also required to develop a
symmetrical plant form (Ibid.).

# Management

*General*: Sitka spruce prefers cool temperatures and moisture soil.
Several times in the spring, pinch the new growth of young seedlings
when shoots are about one inch long to check if watering is necessary.
Major pruning should be done in the early fall and all the needles
should never be removed.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Readily available through nurseries within its range. Contact your local
Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation
Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under
"United States Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service
will be listed under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

# 

# References

Britton, N.L. 1908. *North American trees*. Henry Holt & Company, New
York, New York.

Dirr, M.A. & C.W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. *The reference manual of woody plant
propagation: from seed to tissue culture*. Varsity Press, Athens,
Georgia.

Farrar, J.L. 1995. *Trees of the northern United States and Canada*.
Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Grimm, W.C. 1967. *Familiar trees of America*. Harper & Row, Publishers,
New York, New York.

Lauriault, J. 1989. *Identification guide to the trees of Canada*.
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Ontario, Canada.

McMinn, H.E. & E. Maino 1963. *An illustrated manual of pacific coast
trees*. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.

Moerman, D. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press, Oregon.

Pojar, J & A. MacKinnon 1994. *Plants of the pacific northwest coast:
Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alaska*. Lone Pine Publishing,
Redmond, Washington.

Pratt, M.B. 1922. *Shade and ornamental trees of California*. California
State Board of Forestry, California.

Preston, R.J., Jr., 1989. *North American trees*. 4^th^ ed. Iowa State
University Press, Ames, Iowa.

Rehder, A. 1990. *Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs: hardy in North
America*. 2^nd^ ed. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon.

Sargent, C.S. 1961. *Manual of the trees of North America*. Vol. 1.
Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York.

Viereck, L.A. & E.L. Little, Jr. 1972. A*laska trees and shrubs*. United
States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Agriculture Handbook
No. 410.

# Prepared By

## *Lincoln M. Moore*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

## *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Environmental Horticulture
Dept., Davis, California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 29may03 ahv; 060802 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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