Sitka Spruce

Name: Sitka Spruce

Scientific name: Picea sitchensis

Category: Trees and bushes

Nature Stars: 20

What are nature stars?

About: A tall conifer, up to 60 metres. Originaly from the west coast of North America.

How to identify: Spruce trees differ from firs in having downwards hanging cones, and have shorter needles than pine trees. The Sitka Spruce has shorter cones than Norway Spruce, only about 10 cm long.

Where: Widespread, planted in forestry.

Fantastic fact: The commonest forestry tree in much of upland Britain.

Photograph credit: Axel Kristinsson