The spruce wood is a softwood known as the “bread tree of Central European forestry.” The given name stems from its great importance and special properties. It is by far the most prevalent tree in the Alps and low mountain ranges. Spruce makes up as much as 30% of western Germany’s forest area.
There is much more to learn about Spruce wood, including its properties and common uses. Therefore, we will go through them in detail as part of your exploration of the different types of wood.
General Properties of Spruce Wood
Spruce wood that is freshly cut can be easily identified by its intense resinous aroma. The wood has a consistent brightness and is virtually white or yellowish-white. In response to sunlight, Spruce darkens to a brownish-yellow hue.
Spruce trees have distinct annual rings ranging in width from extremely small to large. The longitudinal section reveals the softwood-specific striations. Spruce wood has a dull gloss after working with a planer. Meanwhile, the color of sapwood and heartwood is identical.
Spruce is not resistant to deterioration in terms of resistance. Spruce has a very high degree of workability. However, you must confirm that the wood is clear of knots; otherwise, working with Spruce will take a lot of work.
Types of Spruce Wood
Spruce comes in 35 different species and is widespread in northern temperate regions. These species are similar in color, look, and grain pattern. However, they vary in terms of hardness, weight, and cost.
Among these known species of Spruce are white Spruce, black Spruce, Sitka spruce, and Norway spruce.
Red Spruce (Picea abies)
Red Spruce has a continuously straight grain and a delicate, uniform texture. The sapwood is normally creamy white, and the wood is typically yellow or red.
The red spruce tree may grow up to 18–40 m (59–131 ft) tall while having a trunk diameter of 1–2 ft. Eastern North America is its natural habitat.
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
White Spruce is strong, steady, and rot-resistant. It has a homogeneous texture and a straight grain. While the sapwood of white Spruce has a creamy white color with a tinge of yellow, the heartwood is a pale, yellowish-white color.
White Spruce trees reach 110 feet (34 m) with a trunk diameter of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1.0 m). They usually live in the vastness of North America.
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Sitka spruce is a sturdy wood that lasts. Thus, it is a good material to build a boat and an airplane because of its high strength-to-weight ratio.
The sapwood is cream/white to yellow, while the heartwood has a pinkish-red color. The Sitka spruce has a homogeneous texture and fine grain.
The tree’s trunk diameter is 4-6 feet, and its height can reach 100 meters (330 feet) (1.2–1.8 m). It is indigenous to the northern regions of the US.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Norway Spruce is useful for manufacturing sustainable flooring and furnishings due to its fine homogeneous texture and light appearance.
Norway spruce has white to pale yellow sapwood and brown to reddish-brown tones in its heartwood. A huge and quickly growing coniferous tree that is evergreen is the Norway spruce.
The tree may stand 115–180 feet (35–55 m) tall and have a trunk diameter of 3–5 feet (1–1.5 m). Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe are its natural habitats.
Uses of Spruce Wood
Spruce Wood provides a list of applications due to its versatility. Find out more of its uses in the different aspects.
Musical Instruments
Spruce is a perfect material for piano soundboards, guitar tops, and violin tops because It has closed growth rings, which produce excellent tonewood and a superb sound in instruments. It stands out from other woods because of its distinctive sound texture.
Boats and aircraft
Spruce is a durable, long-lasting wood used to build boats and airplanes. Wood has a good finish and a moderate level of decay resistance. Spruce lumber that has been treated may be the best option for boats and aircraft.
Storage
Spruce wood is used to create high-quality boxes or crates. Due to their small weight, they are simple to handle and transport and may hold heavy-weight items.
Other Wood Types You May Be Interested In
Below are other softwood types that you may be interested in.
The Bottomline
Anyone who looks for an ideal type of softwood that covers all your expectations, Spruce wood can be one of these. The strength of Spruce is distinct in addition to its excellent wood properties mentioned. I hope you now have a solid understanding of Spruce wood as a softwood. Let’s start your next woodworking project using the lovely Spruce wood. Enjoy your woodworking!
