SITKA SPRUCE
picea sitchensis

• also known as Coast Spruce, Tideland Spruce, Yellow Spruce
• this spruce has been introduced and is now widely grown in Britain and northern Europe
• is a frequent host to the spruce weevil whose offspring will kill new growth

UNIQUE FEATURES:

• is the largest of BC's spruces
• some native tribes considered the tree to have magic powers

LOCATION:

• along the west coast of British Columbia
• usually found from sea level to 700 metres
• river and stream flood plains and coastal fogbelt

SIZE:

• average 70 metres tall and 2 metres in diameter
• can reach up to 93 metres tall and 5 metres in diameter

CONES:

• seed cones - wavy, papery scales with ragged edges; reddish to yellowish-brown
• pollen cones - red

NEEDLES:

• 4 sided
• bluish-green, stiff and sharp
• 2 white lines on both upper and lower surfaces
• arranged spirally along twigs
• longest and flattest leaves of BC spruces

BARK:

• thin, scaly
• brown or purplish grey

WOOD CHARACTERISTICS:

• light, soft, strong, flexible

USES:

• modern - general construction, ship building, plywood, musical instruments, airplane construction
• traditional - roots: hats, baskets, ropes, fishing lines, twine; inner bark/young shoots: source of vitamin C, laxative; pitch: caulk and waterproof boats, harpoons and fishing gear, medicine for burns, boils and other sking irritants, glue; wood: carved to make love charms