The Sitka Spruce is a beloved native to the Pacific Northwest. It is a staple of the ecosystem in many different ways - from providing shelter to native species, to allowing for moss and lichen growth on its trunk, this tree operates in harmony with the world around it. Sitka Spruce resin is tacky and can be used as a glue like substance, while the bark finds utility in rope making and construction. This tree generally has a stretch of exposed grey trunk before puffing out into expansive foliage.
Image by Graaf van Vlaanderen, Wiki Creative Commons
Foliage
The needles of this spruce tree are grey green and grow in tightly packed rows along each stem and branch. The hue of a Sitka Spruce is significantly more blue than other similar members of the Pine family.
Seeds or Cones
This tree produces an ample number of cones each cycle, each one long and light brown in color. This cone is softer than other pinecones, and does not have brittle edges.
All illustrations by A.S. Longman
Did you know?
Sitka spruce snags, or trees that have died but remain standing, are the preferred nesting place for many birds of prey, including the Peregrine Falcon.
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