How tall do Sitka spruce trees grow?
Picea sitchensis, the Sitka spruce, is a large, coniferous, evergreen tree growing to almost 100 meters (330 ft) tall, [2] with a trunk diameter at breast height that can exceed 5 m (16 ft).
How fast do spruce trees grow in a year?
How fast do spruce trees grow. Some of the most popular species of spruce include the Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, and Sitka Spruce. These three trees boast average growth rates between 6 inches and 11 inches a year.
How fast do Sitka trees grow in Scotland?
Sitka is fast-growing, even in poor soils and on exposed ground, making it perfect for the Scottish climate. In fact, it's so fast-growing - young trees can grow as much as 1.5m in a year - it can be tricky to estimate a sitka tree's age just by looking at it.
How fast do Norway spruces grow?
Norway spruces may grow as high as 100 feet tall. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the tree grows 25 inches or greater per year, making it an ideal cover for deer, birds and owls. Norway spruces are evergreen trees with dark green needles, yellow and purple flowers and drooping, cylindrical cones.
How long does a Sitka spruce take to grow?
It takes around 40 years from planting before most Sitka spruce trees are harvested, and only a proportion of those trees meet the stronger, higher value construction grades.
How much does a Sitka spruce grow per year?
Sitka spruce is of major importance in forestry for timber and paper production. Outside its native range, it is particularly valued for its fast growth on poor soils and exposed sites where few other trees can prosper; in ideal conditions, young trees may grow 1.5 m (5 ft) per year.
What spruce tree grows fastest?
Norway SpruceNorway Spruce are the fastest-growing and tallest of spruce trees when planted in moist, rich soil. They also produce the largest cones of all the spruce varieties. Because they grow quickly and mature to heights of 60 to 80 feet, they are often planted as windbreaks.
How big do Sitka spruce grow?
180 to 225 feetGrowth: Sitka Spruce typically reach 180 to 225 feet (55-70m). The tallest are over 250 feet (75m) tall. The largest is at a resort on Lake Quinault and has a diameter greater than 17 feet (5m)! Most of the giants are found in Olympic National Park, Vancouver Island, and the northern Oregon Coast.
What is the fastest growing evergreen tree?
Thuja Green Giant is the number one choice in Fast-Growing privacy trees. At a rapid growth rate of 3 to 5 feet per year, that is no surprise. For tropical climates, zone 9 and zone 10, Leyland Cypress, Italian Cypress, and Wax Myrtle are the best choices for Fast-Growing privacy.
What is the fastest growing pine tree?
Jack Pine They grow very quickly during their first 15 years and are used to help combat erosion. Jack Pines generally grow irregularly and twisted. Growing best in zones 3 through 8, they can be planted in dry, sandy, acidic soil, and are a more low-maintenance option when it comes to pine trees.
What is the fastest growing evergreen for privacy?
1. Thuja x 'Green Giant' – Hybrid Arborvitae. Green Giant might be the best evergreen for privacy. It has an extremely fast growth rate, putting on 3-4' per year.
What is the best spruce tree to plant?
Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens) So wherever you are, one or more of the many, many forms of this tree will be a great choice for any garden – no wonder it is miles ahead as the most popular species to grow.
What is the most popular evergreen tree?
PinesPines are probably the most notable of evergreen tree types. While most of them have long, needle-like foliage and are cone-bearing, not all pine trees are the same. Each has its own unique characteristics to contribute.
Why is Sitka spruce so special?
Although all spruces have sharp needles, those of the Sitka Spruce are the sharpest and most rigid of any tree in the northwest.
Is Sitka spruce invasive?
The trees up here, the misshapen, dwarfed and stumpy looking Christmas trees – the non-native and invasive Sitka spruce – are not suited to the waterlogged conditions that are a key characteristic of a healthy blanket bog. Yet, they are numerous.
What is Sitka spruce good for?
Sitka spruce is valued for its wood, which is light, soft, and relatively strong and flexible. It is used for general construction, ship building and plywood. The wood has excellent acoustic properties and is used to make sounding boards in pianos and other musical instruments such as violins and guitars.
How long does spruce take to grow?
The Colorado blue spruce grows at a slow to medium rate, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, although it picks up a bit as it gets older. This blue spruce grows from 12 to 24 inches a year. So it will require 30 to 60 years for a Colorado blue spruce to grow from seed to 60 feet tall.
Is Sitka spruce drought tolerant?
As a site-sensitive species, Sitka spruce is unable to establish in poor or dry environments — as illustrated by its absence from the slope forests adjacent to the river floodplains of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.
How far apart do you plant spruce trees?
Privacy Screens For instance, cedars and junipers need 6 to 8 feet between them, while pines and spruces need 10 to 12 feet of spacing. Before you plant, measure the space and mark the planting sites with stakes, then tie a string between them to ensure you have a straight row.
How much does a blue spruce grow per year?
12" to 24" per yearGrowth Rate This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.
sitka spruce growth rate?
i planted 3 little one foot sitka spruce trees on the side of my yard. i cant find much info on them does anyone know if these are considered fast growers? how many feet per year? they have filled out some and look fatter than when i first planted them. we do get fog and humid summers so hopefully these are favorable conditions for the sitkas
Comments (18)
Where the climate is suitable (oceanic temperate rainforest, with mild winters and cool summers), very fast - young trees at up to 2 metres per year, and 40m tall in 43 years. But it won't like your zone 6 continental climate at all, sorry to say.
How tall does a Sitka spruce grow?
The Sitka spruce dwarfs its cousins in maximum attainable height and rate of growth. During its 500-year life, a Sitka spruce will reach between 160 and 220 feet, with 60-inches-per-year growth rate until it reaches maturity.
How wide are spruces?
Spruces need space. At maturity, these three species have massive branch widths, ranging from 20 to 30 feet across. If spruces are planted too close together, root problems arise that lead to blight in the lower limbs.
How many species of spruce are there?
Spruce refers to the Picea genus of plants, which includes 35 separate species. While the majority of these coniferous tree species have a fairly unremarkable average growth rate (between 6 inches and 11 inches per year), the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca) ...
What are the parasites that attack spruce trees?
Advertisement. A number of parasites target spruce trees, namely the spruce budworm and spider mite. In addition to slowing or stopping vertical growth, these pests can cause lower limbs to die and ruin the tree's symmetry.
Do spruces need to be watered?
Spruces also are vulnerable to drought. In hot, dry weather, the young trees need to be watered at least once a week.
How tall is the Sitka Spruce Tree?
Arrghh! 8. The Sitka Spruce Tree is the Alaska State Tree! 9. The tallest tree is just shy of 200 feet tall; you can view this tree in Olympic National Park, Washington. 10. Sitkas are fast-growing, and they’re a top choice for most reforestation efforts. Posted in Alaska Specialty Woods Blog.
What is Sitka spruce used for?
2. Sitka Spruce wood has many purposes aside from tonewood. Sailors often used Sitka Spruce wood for masts on their ships, and crates for their cargo. 3. Sitka Spruce trees can produce a myriad of natural oils, which can aid minor ailments. 4. Breweries and moonshiners will use young Sitkas for Spruce Beer. 5.
What is the Sitka tree?
The Sitka Spruce tree is a symbol for a female protector and guardian; the Sitka is the “mother tree”. 6. These trees primarily grow in the northern hemisphere, and are plentiful in areas like British Columbia and Alaska. 7.
What is the tallest tree in Sitka?
Learn more about the tonewood of choice; read 10 interesting facts about Sitka Spruce trees below! 1. Sitka Spruce trees are one of the tallest species of trees, right up there with Redwoods and Giant Sequoias. Sometimes, they get to be very old, and outrageously tall. 2.
How tall is a Sitka spruce tree?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. ( Bong.) Carr. Picea sitchensis, the Sitka spruce, is a large, coniferous, evergreen tree growing to almost 100 m (330 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter at breast height that can exceed 5 m (16 ft). It is by far the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world (behind giant sequoia, ...
What is the habitat of Sitka spruce?
Sitka spruce provides critical habitat for a large variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Its thick, sharp needles are poor browse for ungulates, and only the new spring growth is eaten. However, in Alaska and British Columbia the needles of picea sitchensis comprise up to 90% of the winter diet of blue grouse.
What is the bark of a Sitka spruce tree used for?
Newly grown tips of Sitka spruce branches are used to flavor spruce beer and are boiled to make syrup. The root bark of Sitka spruce trees is used in Native Alaskan basket-weaving designs and for rain hats. The pitch was used for caulking, chewing, and its medicinal properties.
Why do Sitka spruce burl?
According to a guidebook entitled Olympic Peninsula, "Damage to the tip or the bud of a Sitka spruce causes the growth cells to divide more rapidly than normal to form this swelling or burl. Even though the burls may look menacing, they do not affect the overall tree growth."
How many acres of Sitka spruce are there in Norway?
In Norway, Sitka spruce was introduced in the early 1900s. An estimated 50,000 hectares (120,000 acres) have been planted in Norway, mainly along the coast from Vest-Agder in the south to Troms in the north. It is more tolerant to wind and saline ocean air, and grows faster than the native Norway spruce.
What was the name of the tree that the Wright brothers used to make their airplanes?
The Wright brothers ' Flyer was built using Sitka spruce, as were many aircraft before World War II; during that war, aircraft such as the British Mosquito used it as a substitute for strategically important aluminium . Newly grown tips of Sitka spruce branches are used to flavor spruce beer and are boiled to make syrup.
Where are spruce trees found?
Trees over 90 m (300 ft) tall may still be seen in Pacific Rim National Park and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (the Carmanah Giant, at 96 m (315 ft) tall, is the tallest tree in Canada), and in Olympic National Park, Washington and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California (United States); two at the last site are just over 96 m tall. The Queets Spruce is the largest in the world with a trunk volume of 346 m 3 (12,200 cu ft), a height of 74.6 m (245 ft), and a 4.4 m (14 ft) dbh. It is located near the Queets River in Olympic National Park, about 26 km (16 mi) from the Pacific Ocean. Another specimen, from Klootchy Creek Park, Oregon, was previously recorded to be the largest with a circumference of 15 metres (49 ft) and height of 66 metres (217 ft).
What is the fastest growing spruce tree?
The fastest-growing spruce tree, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, is the triangular-shaped Norway spruce (Picea abies), which is part of many suburban home and rural farm landscapes throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
How tall do Norway spruces get?
Norway spruces may grow as high as 100 feet tall. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the tree grows 25 inches or greater per year, making it an ideal cover for deer, birds and owls.
How many species of spruce are there?
Spruce refers to the Picea genus of plants, which includes 35 separate species. While the majority of these coniferous tree species have a fairly unremarkable average growth rate (between 6 inches and 11 inches per year), the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca) ...
What is a spruce tree used for?
Uses. In manufacturing, the wood is used to make soundboards for stringed instruments, such as violins and guitars. Tree sap is used in varnish and some medicines. In retail, the tree is cut down in December and sold as Christmas trees. The fastest-growing spruce tree, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, is the triangular-shaped Norway spruce ...
Do spruces need good drainage?
Spruces also are vulnerable to drought. Conversely, spruces' root systems need good drainage to thrive; planting them in a sandy or clay soil helps prevent puddles from building up. Mindy Schwartz is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to eHow and Answerbag.
When to Plant Spruce Trees
- Like all trees, spruce trees ( Picea sp. ) can be planted and grow well in the northern parts of the United States. Evergreens are resistant to cold and grow well in poor soil conditions when managed properly. 35+ species exist, plus many cultivars. The tallest recorded spruce tree stands at 180 feet tall. Plant your new spruce during the early spring months before it begins to exhibit …
The Size of A Spruce Tree
- Blue spruce trees (Picea pungens “Glauca”) are also commonly referred to as Colorado blue spruces. They are native mountain-dwelling trees that can grow up to 80 feet in height, with trunk diameters of 1 or 2 feet. During the course of their life span of about 100 years, each tree’s canopy expands 30 feet wide and the blue spruce tree has needles that drape about 3/4 of an inch long …
Highest Growth Rates
- The Sitka spruce is not as tall as its renowned relatives in its maximum attainable height and annual growth rate. While the Colorado blue spruce can grow around 20 times faster than the Sitka and Norway, the former gets dwarfed by Norway. When it comes to the overall height and is often deployed as a shorter “hedge” between two shorter trees such ...
The Best Conditions For Growth
- Spruces need a moderate amount of water and grow best in full sun and slightly acidic or neutral soil. They are not suited to very wet, heavy clay soils that drain poorly, nor do they tolerate alkaline soils very well so keep this in mind. If you’re planting one at home. The ideal pH level for most spruces is between 5 and 7. If you’ve got heavy clay soil that doesn’t drain well and could potenti…