Sitka Spruce, Picea sitchensis

Sitka Spruce, Picea sitchensis, known also as tideland spruce, coast spruce, and yellow spruce is a long-lived tree (more than 800 years) that can grow over 200 ft tall. It is the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world. It is known for being extremely tolerant of poor conditions and once established, it is fast-growing (up to 3 feet per year). This evergreen is one of the only spruce trees that are tolerant of salt, and it grows wild along coastlines without a problem and is the most tolerant spruce for warm, humid conditions. Spruces are easy to identify due to their prickly, very sharp, needle-like leaves. Sitka Spruce has a high strength-to-weight ratio and resonant wood that has made it valuable for making musical instruments, experimental light aircraft, and other specialty uses. The roots of Sitka Spruce were used by indigenous people for basketry and hats, and the pitch was chewed for pleasure and for caulking canoes. Sitka Spruce provide seeds that are a valuable food for various birds, squirrels and chipmunks and excellent nesting, roosting and winter cover. They also support hummingbirds and beneficial insects and are a caterpillar host plant and larval food source.