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Picea sitchensis
The largest spruce in the world is the Sitka Spruce. A Sitka Spruce may live for 700 – 800 years old and reach a height of 200 feet or more. Although the natural range of Sitka Spruce is a relatively narrow strip from Alaska to northern California, it may be found anywhere from 3000’ mountain heights down to seashore level.
Sitka Spruce trees near sea level in Alaska have exceeded 200 feet in height and 10 feet in diameter. The largest Sitka Spruce on record can be found in Seaside, Oregon. It is 216’ tall, almost 17’ in diameter, and has a crown spread of 93’.
Its tolerance for salt spray allows the Sitka Spruce to grow near the seashore. The summer fogs and moist maritime air also help to maintain the humid conditions that are favorable to the growth of Sitka Spruce. Trees in coastal areas also benefit from relatively mild winters, cool summers, and plentiful moisture although, once dormant the Sitka Spruce is able to withstand low temperatures without damage.
Sitka Spruce will grow best on deep, moist, well-aerated soils. It can tolerate sandy or coarse-textured soils, or soils with a thick accumulation of organic matter, as long as there is adequate drainage. Sitka Spruce will not tolerate, or will grow poorly, in swampy sites. Additionally, root decline will occur if soils become compacted or the level of aeration in the soil is altered. Ornamental Sitka Spruce can be killed if soil is added over the root zone.
The Sitka Spruce is one of the few conifers that will regrow branches along the main trunk if the trunk is exposed to sunlight. Thinning of the upper canopy, or surrounding trees, may stimulate new lower branch growth. Conversely, if shaded, lower branches die quickly and break off leaving a resinous branch stub. Ideally, these branch stubs should be pruned back to the main trunk to allow callus growth to grow over the wound.
The needles of Sitka Spruce are green, about 1” long, and pointed at the tip.
Cones are 1.5 – 3.5” long, cylindrical, with thin, irregularly toothed scales. Most Sitka Spruce tree will start producing cones when they reach 20 – 40 years of age.
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