Trade Names:  Spruce

Origin:  Central Europe, North America

Range:  Widespread over central, northern and northeastern Europe above latitude 69, north of the Pyrenees to Russia and Scandinavia. In North America from southern Alaska to northern California

Uses:  Without a doubt Spruce is one of the most exploited woods and is used for all interior and exterior purposes. Used as engineering, construction and mining wood and in joineries, as well as for overhead line masts and in the production of plywood. Spruce is mainly used in the furniture and door sectors of the veneer industry (country-style furniture of rustic design). Pitch pockets and heart streaks are a problem when slicing.

Properties:  It is hard to differentiate between the sapwood and the heartwood. There is no heart coloring. The wood is of a light yellowish-brown color and often almost white without particular markings. Annual rings, however, are very distinct due to the difference between the light early and dark late wood. Spruce is very susceptible to insect attack. The wood is soft and very light-weight.

Machining:  Working by hand or machine presents no problem. To get planed surfaces very smooth they must be sanded.

Seasoning:  Spruce can be dried easily and quickly without any checking or warping. However, the latter can occur if the wood is stored too long.