How to identify Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

How to identify Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Sitka spruce, also known as Western spruce, Silver spruce, Yellow spruce

Sitka spruce is a majestic evergreen tree reaching heights between 40 and 230 feet (12 to 70 meters) and trunk diameters of 16 to 22 feet (5 to 6.7 meters). Amidst its striking features are the pendulous branches which may sweep the ground, and an open crown structure. The needles on sitka spruce are notably stiff, sharp, and four-sided, spanning 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, with a unique blue-green hue on the upper side and a bluish-white tint underneath. Emerging from raised woody pegs, these needles are a telltale characteristic. The bark, initially smooth and gray, becomes dark purplish-brown and scaly with maturity. The reproductive cycle begins with the appearance of male and female cones from late April to early June, with the latter found near the tree's apex. By late summer or fall, the woody seed cones mature, signaling the time for seed harvest in October.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Sitka spruce

Pendulous branches reaching the ground, forming a majestic open crown structure.

Stiff, sharp, four-sided needles with blue-green upper side and bluish-white undersides.

Female cones reddish-brown, cylindrical, 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) long with toothed scales.

Yellowish-brown to orangish-brown twigs with numerous woody pegs and reddish-brown rounded buds.

Bark evolving from smooth gray to dark purplish-brown, becoming scaly with age.

Detailed Traits of Sitka spruce

Leaf Features

The evergreen needles of sitka spruce are 5/8 to 1 inch (1.6 to 2.5 cm) long, four-sided, flat, and stiff. They are spirally arranged and dark waxy bluish-green on the upper surface, with bluish-white undersides. The needles have very sharp tips and feature two thin white bands of stomata on the upper surface and two dense bands on the lower surface. Each needle is formed on a woody peg or sterigma.

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Flower Features

The flowers of sitka spruce exhibit distinctive characteristics. The male cones are reddish, erect, and measure 3/8 to 5/8 inch (10 to 16 mm) long. The female cones are reddish-brown, cylindrical, 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in length, with thin, toothed scales. They form between late April and early June, mostly near the top of the tree. These features are crucial for identifying the flowering stage of sitka spruce, highlighting their color, shape, and specific formation period.

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Stem Features

Sitka spruce's twigs are yellowish-brown to orangish-brown, smooth, and rather stout. They feature numerous woody pegs known as sterigmata. The branches emanate with a thick, sturdy appearance, indicative of robust growth. Buds, which are reddish-brown and rounded, are distributed along the stem, offering a distinct contrast in color. The stem's texture is consistent throughout, with a strong, durable feel, often measuring around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter. These characteristics are vital for plant identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of sitka spruce manifests as tan, oblong cones, each measuring approximately 1.5 to 3.5 inches (3.8 to 8.9 cm) in length. They boast thin, woody scales and primarily reside near the tree's apex. As autumn approaches, specifically from late August to early September, these cones reach maturity, signifying readiness for seed dispersal, which commonly occurs in October. Their robust construction aids in the protection and subsequent release of the seeds they encase.

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Sitka spruce and Their Similar Plants

Norway spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

The fastest-growing of all spruces, the norway spruce (Picea abies) makes for a good roosting spot for owls and hawks. Its wood is used for paper, construction lumber, and musical instruments, and its needles can be used to brew spruce beer. It is also a popular choice for Christmas trees.

Blue spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

The blue spruce (Picea pungens) is an evergreen conifer with a beautiful, thick crown. It gets the "blue" name because its needles have a bluish tint, unlike other pine trees whose needles are a simpler green. This unique appearance has helped to make the blue spruce one of the world's favorite ornamental conifers, and it's especially popular in Christmas tree production. Historically, these trees have also served other ornamental purposes.

White spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

White spruce (Picea glauca) is a tree native to North America and growing widely throughout Alaska and Canada. White spruce is the symbolic tree of Canada's Manitoba province and the state of South Dakota in the United States. Commercially, its wood is used to make paper and materials for construction projects. This tree can be grown as a bonsai.

Red spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

Red spruce (*Picea rubens*) is also known as eastern spruce or yellow spruce to English speakers. French Canadians call the species by the name of “épinette rouge.” Its common name comes from the fact that it has red-colored bark.

Black spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

Other names for black spruce (Picea mariana) include bog spruce, shortleaf black spruce, and swamp spruce. And just like you’d guess from the name, it loves soggy habitats. It also happens to be the provincial tree of Newfoundland.

Orange spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

Orange spruce (Picea asperata) is a tall conifer that is highly variable and has five subspecies. This tree has commercially useful wood that is used in the manufacture of furniture, buildings and railway sleepers. This usefulness is also a problem since the tree's numbers are declining due to overlogging in its native China.

Serbian spruce vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 20 m tall, exceptionally 40 m, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. The shoots are buff-brown, and densely pubescent (hairy). The leaves are needle-like, 1 to 2 cm long, flattened in cross-section, dark blue-green above, and blue-white below.

Norway spruce 'Nidiformis' vs. Sitka spruce: What's The Difference?

Norway spruce 'Nidiformis' is a slow-growing, dwarf cultivar of Norway spruce that offers light-green short needles. The branches spread horizontally in dense layers. This is cultivar is also often called the "Bird’s Nest Spruce," as it usually sports a deep depression in the middle of its flat top. Gardeners enjoy this cultivar for its deer resistance and general hardiness.

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Key Facts About Sitka spruce

Attributes of Sitka spruce

Spread

6 m to 9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Flower Size

6 cm to 10 cm

Flower Color

Green

Yellow

Purple

Red

Brown

Lavender

Burgundy

Fruit Color

Brown

Cream

Tan

Stem Color

Brown

Red

Yellow

Orange

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Sitka spruce

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

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Distribution Map of Sitka spruce

Sitka spruce is a tree species primarily native to the coastal regions of the North Pacific, predominantly on the western fringe of North America. It has been successfully introduced to various parts of North Europe and the temperate zones of the Southern Hemisphere. The species thrives in these regions, forming a key component of their respective forest ecosystems.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Sitka spruce

A Comprehensive Guide to Sitka spruce How to Grow and Care for Sitka spruce