Sitka Spruce

Scientific name

Picea sitchensis

Description

Sitka Spruce is a large coniferous tree species that typically grows between 50 and 70 m in height. The bark is thin, scaly and brown to purplish gray colored. The needles are light to blueish green colored, stiff, sharp, have four sides, and are arranged spirally along the twig. The seed cones are reddish yellow to brown in color and have thin, wavy, toothed scales. This tree is beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals, for nesting and feeding. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The Sitka Spruce is the largest spruce species in the world.

Planting conditions

Sitka Spruce grows best in moist to wet conditions. It prefers deep, well-drained, cool sand or loam soil types. It can tolerate acidic soil and salinity but is intolerant of shade. This tree can be found naturally in forests along the Pacific coast or along river and stream shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
  • 8a
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 50-70 m
• Spread:
  • 5 m