1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Native to the west coast of North America (Alaska to California). Introduced to Britain in the 19th century and now the UK’s most widely planted forestry tree.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains needles year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Stiff, sharp, needle-like leaves, 1.5–2.5 cm long, four-sided, blue-green above with two white bands of stomata beneath. Arranged spirally on twigs. Sharp to the touch.
Bark: Thin, scaly, and flaky, grey-brown in colour.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious. Male flowers are small, reddish-brown catkins in spring. Female flowers are upright at first, then develop into hanging cones 5–10 cm long, with thin, flexible scales. Seeds small and winged, released in autumn.
Overall shape: Tall, conical crown, dense in youth, more open with age. Long, straight trunk with narrow, pointed crown.
4. Typical Size
35–45 m tall in the UK; can exceed 60 m in native range. Spread 6–8 m. Very fast-growing, often maturing in 40–60 years.
5. Habitat & Range
Planted extensively across the UK, especially in upland areas of Scotland, Wales, and northern England. Thrives in cool, wet climates and acidic, peaty soils.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Sharp, prickly needles (unlike the softer feel of Norway spruce).
Conical crown with drooping branches.
Blue-green foliage with white undersides.
Common in large plantation blocks.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Male catkins shed pollen; female cones form.
Summer: Dense green canopy.
Autumn: Cones mature and release winged seeds.
Winter: Evergreen canopy remains; sharp needles and narrow crown visible.
8. Human Uses
The UK’s most important commercial timber species. Used for construction, paper pulp, pallets, and fencing.
Wood strong yet lightweight, also used for aircraft, boats, and musical instruments (notably soundboards for pianos and guitars).
Planted as windbreaks in exposed upland areas.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides nesting sites for birds, including crossbills, goldcrests, and siskins.
Supports some moth caterpillars and insects, though much less biodiversity than native broadleaves.
Plantations can provide cover for deer, foxes, and other mammals.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
The second-tallest tree ever recorded in Britain was a Sitka Spruce in Scotland, at over 64 m.
Named after the city of Sitka in Alaska, where it grows naturally.
Though non-native, it now dominates UK forestry, covering around half of all commercial plantations.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers moist, acidic, peaty, or sandy soils. Poor on chalk or alkaline ground.
Light: Requires full sun.
Watering: Water young trees until established; naturally thrives in wet climates.
Spacing: 2–3 m apart in plantations; 6–10 m for specimen planting.
Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Protect from browsing by deer. Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Not suitable for streets or small urban parks due to size, speed of growth, and brittleness.
Garden: Unsuitable for small gardens; may be used in very large estates or arboreta. Best left to commercial forestry.