Common names: Sitka Spruce 

Irish name: Sprus Sitceach 

Latin name: Picea sitchensis 

Family: Pinaceae 

Origin: Non native 

Tree type: Evergreen conifer

How it looks

Sitka spruce is the 3rd tallest conifer species. 

Bark

Sitka spruce has rough grey, scaly bark, flaking off when mature.

Leaves 

It has needles for leaves. These are typically sharp, flattened needles up to 3cm long and blue/green in colour. On the underside of the needle, they are striped with 2 white bands. They have a woody peg at the base of the needle. 

Flowers / Cones

Male flowers are pale yellow and oval in shape. The female flowers which appear at the top of the tree and are rarely seen. They are more reddish in colour than the male and develop into cones. These cones contain small, winged seeds.

Similar species 

Norway spruce, Picea abies. The needles of Sitka spruce are pricklier and more harsh.

Where to find it

It is native to Western North America, having a coastal range from Alaska to northern California. It is the state tree of Alaska. Today it is widely planted for forestry and grows very well in areas with high rainfall, one such example being Ireland.  It was introduced to Ireland in 1834.  

Cultural importance

Sitka spruce has been special to the Indigenous peoples of western North America since time immemorial. They used different parts of the tree for food, medicine and to make various domestic items. However, with the arrival of Euro-American settlers and commerce, it also became both a nationally and internationally important species. 

For Indigenous communities, the inner bark of the tree was s versatile food source which could be eaten fresh, dried or ground into flour for thickening soup and making bread. Other parts of the tree were believed to have antiseptic properties and were thus used to treat a variety of ailments. In Alaska, communities made spruce bud tea to treat coughs, respiratory problems and pneumonia. A tea brewed from young spruce cones was also used to treat colds, tuberculosis and stomach issues, while the pitch from sitka spruce was deemed particularly effective in the treatment of internal swelling and toothache. With regard to the domestic applications of the tree, Indigenous communities used roots to make hats, ropes, fishing nets and water-tight woven baskets. They made glue and varnish from spruce pitch, and used the timber to make log canoes, paddles, fish traps, totem poles and temporary shelters. Spruce wood was also used by the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian First Nations as a base for their famous ‘formline’ artwork which traditionally depicts important cultural symbolism relating to Clan stories, animals and events. 

Archaeological investigations in Sitka National Historic Park identified 200 year-old Sitka spruce trees where patches of bark had been removed using axes. The study suggested that the bark was likely removed by people from the Tlingit First Nation, who traditionally used pitch from the tree as a fire-starter, to repair canoes, and for medicinal purposes. Similarly, the Haida People used the bark for roofing for their houses.  

For Indigenous communities, sitka spruce also has a spiritual significance. Amongst certain First Nations, for instance, the spruce needles were believed to protect against evil intent. Likewise, Ditidaht and other Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations dancers used the boughs of the trees to protect themselves during winter dance ceremonies, as well as to frighten the audience. 

With the arrival of Euro-America settlers, and the development of the timber industry in the early twentieth century, sitka spruce was logged for its high-grade lumber which was used to build airplanes and gliders. Indeed, sitka spruce was used to build British Mosquito bombers during World War II. It was also used to make ladders, scaffolding, boats, oars, piano sounding boards and guitars. 

Perhaps one of the most famous trees in North America, was the Golden Spruce or Kiid K’iiyas Ancient Tree as it is called by the Haida people of British Columbia, a 300–year-old sitka spruce with a unique golden colour. The Haida creation story of the tree goes as follows:   

A young man’s disrespect caused a terrible winter storm. The two survivors – a young boy and his chinaay (grandfather) left in search of a new home. His chinaay said to him 'Don’t look back! If you look back, you will go into the next world. People will be able to stop and admire you, but they won’t be able to talk to you. When you get too old and fall down, you’ll grow up again. You’ll be standing there till the end of the world. Don’t look back'. Having walked a long way, the boy looked back. Then his feet grew into the ground. His chinaay tried to help to no avail, and the boy urged his chinaay to go on without him. As he left, he said to the boy 'It’s alright my son. Even the last generation will look at you and remember your story'. The boy became Kiid K’iiyas - the Golden Spruce.*

In 1997, the tree was cut down by a forester in protest, ironically, against the logging industry. The man was charged and released on bail, but mysteriously disappeared after never to be found again. The memory of Kiid K’iiyas lives on amongst the Haida people, who managed to propagate saplings from the remains of the tree.  

Sitka spruce was introduced to Ireland in the 1830s. It was first planted as an ornamental tree and mature examples can be seen at Emo Park, County Laois and Fota Park, County Cork. However, with the advent of afforestation programmes in the early twentieth century, instigated especially to replenish Ireland’s depleted forestry and timber resources, sitka spruce was planted extensively throughout the country for its economic value, and by 1995, it made up 60% of Ireland’s total forest cover.  

Threats

Sitka spruce is susceptible to infestations by the green spruce aphid, leading to defoliation and growth disturbances. It also may experience issues with the spruce bark beetle, while root and butt rot can also afflict these trees. 

Uses

Sitka spruce is the fastest growing and most important commercial tree in Ireland. It can be seen growing in vast commercial plantations. It is grown for strong lightweight timber for the construction industry, as it makes good saw timber and pulpwood which can be processed into lumber and plywood. This timber is known as white deal. It is also used to make poles, fence rails and paper products.  However, it is seen as a controversial tree in that it does not support and encourage native Irish biodiversity. 

*Source: Haida Tourism. 2024. The Story of the Golden Spruce: A Legend With Deep Roots.The True Story of the Golden Spruce — Haida Tourism 

References

Alutiiq Museum. 2024. Sitka Spruce – Napaq. Alutiiq Museum. Sitka Spruce - Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository 

Colwell, M. 2018. A forestry boom is turning Ireland into an ecological dead zone, The Guardian. A forestry boom is turning Ireland into an ecological dead zone | Mary Colwell | The Guardian 

Haida Tourism. 2024. The Story of the Golden Spruce: A Legend With Deep Roots.The True Story of the Golden Spruce — Haida Tourism 

Hunt, W. J. 2018. Tlingit Archeology, Legends, and Oral Histories at Sitka National Historical Park, National Park Service. Tlingit Archeology, Legends, and Oral Histories at Sitka National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

Rohan, S. 2019. Why Sitka spruce? a history of Irish forestry, Political ecologies of Ireland Website, Trinity College Dublin. Why Sitka spruce? a history of Irish forestry – Political ecologies of Ireland (wordpress.com) 

Tittensor, R. 2016. Shades of green: an environmental and cultural history of Sitka spruce. Oxford: Windgather Press. 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. n.d. Sitka Spruce - Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr, Natural Resources Conservation Service. SITKA SPRUCE (usda.gov)