Picea sitchensis

Picea sitchensis Details

Picea sitchensis, commonly known as the Sitka Spruce, is a large and fast growing conifer. This evergreen has soft-looking, dark green needles held on horizontal branches that tend to become pendulous on the lower section of the tree. It grows with a broad and somewhat open, pyramidal shape initially, then becomes more cylindrical in shape as it matures. It will eventually reach 20 m tall and 8 m wide, growing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of cool climates, coastal environments, frost, most soil conditions except the extremes of wet and dry, and periods of dry once established. Picea sitchensis is commonly used as a specimen in parks or added to mixed plantings in large gardens. The wood is sometimes used for timber and paper production.