Sitka Spruce, Menzies spruce

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to California, extensively introduced into the British Isles

Growth Habits: The largest spruce, pyramidal, evergreen tree, 100 to 210 feet tall (30-65 m); blue-green to light, flattened or broadly triangular, yellow-green, very sharp, rigid needles, 0.5 to 1.2 inches long (1.2-3 cm), with upper surface darker green

Watering Needs: Occasional water

Propagation: Seeds, layering, cuttings

Picea sitchensis, 19460 U.S.D.A. Forest Service, courtesy of Hunt Institute

The Sitka spruce naturally hybridizes with the white spruce (Picea glauca) to produce Lutz spruce (Picea × lutzii).

Fruiting Habits:
The Sitka Spruce is monoecious. Trees older than 20 to 40 years, produce green or reddish cones, ripening pale buff to light orange-brown, 2 to 3.6 inches long (5-9 cm).