Where do Sitka spruce trees grow?
Sitka spruce is a maritime species, growing along the outer coast from Cape Mendocino in northern California to the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska. Within this range it seldom strays very far from salt water.
What kind of tree is a Sitka?
spruces
Title: Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) Sitka spruce is the largest of the spruces, growing up to 70 metres tall and two metres in diameter. Found along the Pacific Coast, it is valued for wood that is light, soft, relatively strong and flexible.
How tall does a Sitka spruce tree grow?
125-180 feet tall
The Sitka spruce is all of that and more. This conifer is the largest of the spruce species and the third-largest tree in the world – after the coastal redwood and Douglas-fir – averaging 125-180 feet tall and three to five feet in diameter.
What are Sitka spruce used for?
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : Sitka spruce is the most important timber species in Alaska [5]. The wood, with its high strength to weight ratio, is valuable for use as turbine blades for wind-driven electrical generators, masts for sail boats, ladders, oars [24], boats, and racing sculls [55].
How long does it take to grow Sitka spruce?
Many farmers who planted Sitka spruce crops since the 1990’s can expect shorter rotations with opportunities to achieve a log size of 0.7 to 0.8 m3 after 30 years.
What does Kenai mean in Native American?
flat land
Kenai is for Kenai Peninsula, also Athabascan and meaning ‘flat land. ‘ It also means black bear (native american).
Is Sitka a hardwood?
Sitka Spruce is the musical instrument industry’s standard for stringed instrument tops….Characteristics of Sitka Spruce.
| Origin of Wood Type | USA & Canada |
|---|---|
| Lumber Grades | Quartersawn (Musical Instrument Grade), Guitar Sets |
| Other Trade Names | Silver Spruce, Tideland Spruce, Menzies Spruce, Coast Spruce |
What is Sitka spruce wood used for?
Sitka spruce is valued for its wood, which is light, soft, and relatively strong and flexible. It is used for general construction, ship building and plywood. The wood has excellent acoustic properties and is used to make sounding boards in pianos and other musical instruments such as violins and guitars.