White spruce
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific namePicea glauca
Trade / common nameWhite spruce
FamilyPinaceae
RegionNorth America
Distribution
The species is distributed across North America from close to the northern limits of Alaska and British Columbia, east to Labrador, south to Maine, and west to Minnesota. It is also reported to occur in localized regions in northwestern Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. White spruce thrives on various soil types, and is mostly found in coniferous forests, but sometimes in pure stands. It grows from sea level to near timberline at altitudes of 2000 to 5000 feet (610 to 1524 m). White spruce is also cultivated in Great Britain.
Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casing, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Cooperages, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hardboards, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Insulating boards, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Oars, Office furniture, Packing cases, Pallets, Paneling , Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rafters, Roofing, Rustic furniture, Tables, Vehicle parts, Veneer
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Projects & Inspiration
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Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casing, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Cooperages, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hardboards, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Insulating boards, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Oars, Office furniture, Packing cases, Pallets, Paneling , Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rafters, Roofing, Rustic furniture, Tables, Vehicle parts, Veneer
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Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Yellow
Red
Orange
White to cream
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Pale red to pink
The wood is nearly white to pale yellowish brown. Woods produced by White, Red, Black, and Engelmann spruce are very similar in structure and cannot be differentiated with any degree of certainty. Differences in appearance and properties are mainly dependent upon growth rates of the different species
Sapwood Color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
White
Yellow
Orange
Color not distinct from heartwood
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Luster
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casing, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Cooperages, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hardboards, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Insulating boards, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Oars, Office furniture, Packing cases, Pallets, Paneling , Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rafters, Roofing, Rustic furniture, Tables, Vehicle parts, Veneer
Product Sources
Timber produced by White spruce, Black spruce (P. mariana), and Red spruce (P. rubens) are often mixed and marketed together under the trade name Eastern spruce since they are too similar to separate on the basis of structure.
Full Technical Species Profile
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Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.