Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), known also as tideland spruce, coast spruce, and yellow spruce, is the largest of the world's spruces and is one of the most prominent forest trees in stands along the northwest coast of North America. Sitka Spruce, unlike the much smaller Black Spruce, can reach heights of over 300ft and are found mostly in the wetter southcentral and southeast regions of Alaska. This particular tree is highly valued for its ability to grow rapidly and in locations that have poor soil.
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) in 2020 Sitka spruce, Spruce tree, Tree
Sitka spruce is the largest and most valuable tree species in Alaska. It is native to the Pacific coast region from southern Alaska (Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet), southeast through southeastern Alaska, western British Columbia, western Washington, western Oregon, and northwestern California. Preservation Bark Divided into narrow flattened ridges, becoming thick and deeply furrowed with age; Gray when young, turning reddish brown with age. Size at maturity and life span 50 to 100 feet in height and 10 to 30 inches in diameter, can be prostrate in alpine; Slow-growing trees, size 18 to 20 inches in diameter at 180 - 260 years; 400 to 500 years Sitka spruce is a long-lived tree, with individuals over 700 years old known. Because it grows rapidly under favorable conditions, large size may not indicate exceptional age. The Queets Spruce has been estimated to be only 350 to 450 years old, but adds more than a cubic meter of wood each year. [12] Root system Dec. 30, 2021 993 TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST, Alaska — The Sitka spruce soaring more than 180 feet skyward has stood on this spot on Prince of Wales Island for centuries. While fierce winds have.
quetzalicow Sitka Spruce Forest in Southeast Alaska
In 1805 a Russian colony had settled on Unalaska. Desiring to be as self-sufficient as possible they planted spruce trees imported from Southeast Alaska, Picea sitchensis the Sitka spruce. Being at the merging point of warm southern currents and cold arctic currents, the Aleutian Islands has earned its reputation as an astonishingly windy. GENERAL DISTRIBUTION : Sitka spruce's natural range is a narrow strip of land along the northern Pacific coast from south-central Alaska to northern California. Its widest distribution (130 miles [210 km] inland) occurs in southwestern Alaska and northern British Columbia. Its southern boundary is defined by a disjunct population in Mendocino County, California [23,24]. In partially harvested older Sitka spruce forests in Alaska, the subsequent stand basal area and stand growth for all cutting intensities were strongly related to trees left after harvest. In this study, results indicated that small advance regeneration and larger residual trees responded with rapid and sustained growth after overstorey removal. Sitka Spruce-Western Hemlock-Red Alder/Salmonberry Forest —A closed-canopy needleleaf forest type where Sitka spruce or western hemlock each contribute 25 to 75% to the total tree cover; red alder comprises at least 10% of tree cover.
Sitka Spruce, Picea sitchensis Native Plants PNW
Description Sitka spruce is a large, coniferous, needled evergreen tree that can grow from 40 to 230 feet tall. It can grow to have a trunk diameter of 16 to 22 feet. Reportedly, it is the largest species of spruce, the third tallest conifer species in the world, and the fourth largest conifer. Sitka Spruce Wildflower - Picea sitchensis, commonly known as Sitka Spruce, is a large coniferous tree species native to the coastal regions of North America, characterized by its tall stature, needle-like leaves, and durable wood that has been extensively utilized in construction and paper production. Welcome to the Alaska Handbook! Alaska Handbook provides one of the most comprehensive.
Spruce wood, when left outside can not be expected to last more than 12-18 months depending on the type of climate it is exposed to. Sitka Spruce makes up more than 20 percent of the hemlock-spruce coastal forests of Alaska. The largest old growth trees in southeast Alaska have trunk diameters exceeding 8 feet and are 500 - 700 years old! Sitka Spruce trees are one of the tallest species of trees, right up there with Redwoods and Giant Sequoias. Sometimes, they get to be very old, and outrageously tall. 2. Sitka Spruce wood has many purposes aside from tonewood. Sailors often used Sitka Spruce wood for masts on their ships, and crates for their cargo. 3.
Sitka Spruce in an Alaskan rain forest, Alaska summer Stock Photo Alamy
Alaska designated Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) as the official state tree in 1962. All State Trees Sitka Spruce Facts Named for Sitka Sound in Alaska, the Sitka spruce is the tallest conifer in the world. Moist ocean air and summer fog are the main factors that account for Sitka spruce's large growth. Sitka spruce is the largest of all spruces. It commonly is 125 to 180. feet tall and 3 to 5 feet in diameter, but can be much larger. Crown is open with somewhat pendulous branches; branches commonly reach the ground and dead branches are retained for a long time. Base of trees are commonly swollen and. buttressed.
