EASTERN SPRUCE an American Wood

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Figure 1.-Range of white spruce (Picea glauca). 506612

2 EASTERN SPRUCE an American wood

M.D. Ostrander'

DISTRIBUTION monly found in cold, poorly-drained bogs throughout its range, and under such conditions forms dense slow- (Moench) Three spruces-white (Picea glauca growing pure stands. Through most of its range black Voss) , black (Picea , mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and red spruce occurs at elevations between 500 and 2,500 Picea rubens collectively known east- ( Sarg.)-are as feet, although substantial stands occur at lower eleva- em spruce. The natural range of white spruce ex- tions in eastern Canada. In the Canadian Rockies and tends from Newfoundland and Labrador west across Alaska it grows up the slopes to the limits of tree Canada to northwestern Alaska and southward growth. It usually is found in pure stands and in mix- through northern New England, New York, Mich- tures with other lowland softwoods, aspen, and birch. igan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (fig. In western i ) . The natural range of red spruce extends from the mountains in Canada it is found east of coastal Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada, southward British Columbia. Outlying stands also occur in the through New England and eastern New York. It con- Black Hills of South Dakota and in Montana and tinues southward at high elevations in the Appala. Wyoming. White spruce grows under a variety of chian Mountains to western North Carolina and east- climatic conditions, ranging from the wet insular cli- em Tennessee (fig. 3) . It occurs mainly on well-drained mate of Newfoundland to the semiarid conditions of uplands and mountain slopes, and in the northern southern Manitoba. It grows best on well drained part of its range it grows at elevations from near porous soils at elevations up to 5,000 feet. In the sea level to about 4,500 feet. It occurs in nearly pure eastern part of its range, it is generally found in mix- stands and in mixtures with balsam fir, white spruce, tures with other conifers such as black spruce, red eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, paper birch, and spruce, balsam fir, and jack pine, or in mixtures with other northern hardwoods. aspen and paper birch. As a pioneer type, it also forms pure stands in abandoned fields in New England and the Maritime provinces of Canada. In western Can- DESCRIPTION AND GROWTH ada it is found as pure stands or in mixtures with The eastern spruces are coniferous evergreen trees aspen, birch, and lodgepole pine. of pyramidal form with needle-like leaves arranged Black spruce is one of the most abundant conifers singly on all sides of twigs and branches. Because of in North America and has a natural range similar to the many similiarities, it is sometimes difficult for even that of white spruce (fig. 2) . It too spans the con- the expert to distinguish individual specimens of these tinent, ranging from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia species. Some authorities have even considered red west and north across Canada to western Alaska. It and black spruce to be varieties of a single species. extends south through northern New England, New Under good growing conditions in western Canada, York, and northern portions of the Lake States. Out- white spruce may attain a height of 120 feet with lying stands occur in northern New Jersey and Penn. a diameter of 48 inches. Near the northern limit of sylvania. In western Canada it extends south to cen- its eastern range, it seldom exceeds 85 feet and its tral British Columbia and southern Manitoba. Although most of its range is in Canada, good stands of this species Retired, formerly research forester, Northeastern Forest occur in the northern portions of Minnesota Experiment Station, Upper Darby. and Michigan. Black spruce is primarily a tree of the NOTE : This publication supersedes unnumbered Eastern Spruce, northern interior swamps and lowlands. It is corn- issued 1945.

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Figure 2.-Range of black spruce (Picea mariana). F-506618 diameter is seldom more than 24 inches (see front inches (fig. 6) . On the best sites, such as in the cover). Ontario Clay Belt, it may attain a height of 90 feet White spruce cones are usually longer than those with a diameter up to 20 inches. On the other ex- of red or black spruce, ranging from 11/2 to 2 inches; treme, at the northern limits of tree growth, it exists they are light brown with thin flexible scales and usu- only as a prostrate shrub. The tree may attain the ally flat at the end. The needles are 1/3 to 3% inch age of 250 years. It is normally a slow-growing tree, long, four-sided, blue green, and sharp to touch and although its form may vary from site to site, (fig. 4). The seeds are 1/s inch long and are light it is usually characterized by a slender straight trunk, brown with wings 1/4 to % inch long. The bark is an irregular open conical crown with short branches, very thin, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, scaly and pale gray to reddish and small cones. It is tolerant of shade but can be brown (fig. 5). killed by prolonged flooding. Like the other spruces, Good seed crops occur every 2 to 6 years. Seeds it has very shallow roots and is thus susceptible to germinate in late spring, and under good moisture windthrow. conditions seedlings initially thrive in heavy shade. Black spruce cones are usually shorter than those White spruce is subject to damage by several insect of the other eastern spruces, ranging from 1/2 to 11/4 enemies, the most important bing the spruce bud. inches. They are nearly globular and remain on the worm. Its thin bark and shallow root system make the branches for many years. The needles are short, 1/4 to species very susceptible to fire and windthrow. White 1/2 iñch, linear, often blunt, and dark bluish green spruce has few diseases. with a whitish bloom (fig. 7) . Seeds are 1/8 inch long, Black spruce is a small to medium-sized tree and are dark brown with wings 1/4 to % inch long. throughout most of its range and seldom attains heights The bark is very thin, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, flaky, and grayish greater than 50 feet or diameters of more than 12 brown to reddish brown (lig. 8).

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Figure 3.-Range of red spruce (Picea rubens). F-506614

Black spruce is a prolific seeder with heavy crops also suffers some damage from butt rots, dwarf mistle- occurring about every 4 or 5 years. Some seeds re- toe, and needle rusts. main viable in the cones for many years, and cones Red spruce is a medium sized tree ; in the northern may drop seeds for several years. The species also part of its range it attains heights of 60 to 80 feet regenerates by "layering" in bogs. Layering is the with diameters of 18 to 24 inches (fig. 9) . In the development of new root systems on lower branches southern Appalachians it reaches greater size, with that have become embedded in wet sphagnum moss. heights in excess of 110 feet and diameters up to 54 Black spruce is quite susceptible to fire, windthrow, inches recorded. Open-grown trees develop broad and flooding. It suffers some damage by spruce bud. conical crowns extending nearly to the ground; under worm when it grows in mixture with balsam fir. It forest conditions the crowns are restricted to the

5 upper stem. The species matures in 200 years and its maximum age is reported to be about 400 years. Red spruce cones are usually 11/4 to 2 inches long, chestnut brown at maturity, with rigid scales usually rounded on the margin. The needles are about 1/ inch long, linear, four-sided, and are dark yellow green (fig. 10) . Seeds are about 1/8 inch long, dark brown, with wings about 1/4 inch long. The bark is usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, separating into irregular grayish to reddish brown scales (fig. 11). The rela- tively thin bark and shallow root system make this species susceptible to fire and windthrow, which are its worst enemies.

COMMON NAMES

Collectively, the wood of these three species is known as eastern spruce. The individual species also have other common names. Red spruce is commonly referred to as balsam or yellow spruce. White spruce

F-490502 Figure 4.-Needlei and cones of white spruce.

Figure 6.-Typical mature black spruce tree. F-414291

is also known as Canadian spruce, skunk spruce and cat spruce; horticultural stock originating from the West is sometimes called Black Hills spruce. Black Figure 5.-Bark of white spruce. spruce is commonly called swamp spruce or bog spruce F-372681 and sometimes, shortleaf black spruce.

6 RELATED COMMERCIAL SPECIES in the eastern United States lumber produced from the three species is usually marketed as eastern spruce. in Canada the lumber is sometimes marketed as Canadian spruce. Varying amounts of balsam fir are sometimes marketed along with eastern spruce, par- ticularly as studs and small dimension lumber. In Western Canada white spruce is marketed as white spruce or western white spruce; sometimes it is mixed with Engelmann spruce and sold as western spruce. Forest survey inventory and timber removal tables usually combine eastern spruce and balsam fir in national reports, although individual State reports usually separate the species.

F-490499 Figure 7.-Needles and cones of black spruce.

F-809611 Figure 9.-Medium sized red spruce in southern Appalachians.

SUPPLY The total volume of eastern spruce in the United States is currently estimated at about 16.8 billion cubic feet. About half of this (38 billion board feet) is of sawtimber size. The balance, in pole-sized material, amounts to over loo million cords. About 65 percent Figure 8.-Bark of 70 year old black spruce 8 inches of the sawtimber is in in diameter. F-389014 Alaska, where all of it is white spruce. An additional 29 percent (mostly red spruce)

7 board feet, with Maine accounting for 88 million board feet, most of it red spruce. In addition to lumber actually produced in the United States, about 130 million board feet of saw- logs were harvested in Maine and exported to Canada in 1969.

P-490496 Figure 10.-Needles and closed cones of red spruce. is in the Northeastern States, and most of the remain- ing 6 percent (black and white spruce) is in the Lake States. The bulk of eastern spruce timber is in Canada, and 1959 estimates indicate an accessible cubic foot vol- F-309612 12-inch red spruce in northern urne of approximately 130 billion cubic feet. Forty Figure 11.-Bark of Maine. percent of this is of sawtimber size, with an estimated volume of 140 billion board feet. Practically all of of pulpwood from the eastern spruce sawtimber in Canada is white The production and consumption late 1800's. By 1920, spruce. eastern spruce began in the 21/2 million cords of eastern spruce were being harvested annually and consumed by pulp mills in the PRODUCTION United States. During the depression years (1930- pulpwood de- Domestic production of eastern spruce lumber 1940) , consumption of eastern spruce 11/2 year, amounted to 440 million board feet in 1869 (fig. 12). dined to an average of million cords per Production gradually increased over the next 40 years but it subsequently climbed back to about 2 million and reached its peak in 1909 with a reported produc- cords annually during World War II. Although the tion of 1,466 million board feet. From 1909 to 1933 total consumption of pulpwood has been increasing production gradually declined to a low of 60 million rapidly over the past several decades, the consumption board feet in 1932. During World War II (1942- of eastern spruce pulpwood has gradually declined 1946) production increased again to about 140 million because of the increased use of southern pine and board feet per year and has remained fairly stable hardwood pulpwood. Eastern spruce pulpwood pro. since that time. New York State led in production dur- duction in the Northeast and the Lake States in 1969 ing the early years, but since 1899 Maine has been had decreased to 1,234,000 cords. As it does in pulpwood with the principal producing state, with West Virginia, New lumber, Maine led in eastern spruce Hampshire, or Vermont in second place. Eastern spruce an estimated 900,000 cords produced in 1969. Minne- lumber production for the United States in 1969 (most sota was second with 157,000 cords. pulp- recent figures available) was estimated at 141 million The production of eastern spruce lumber and

8 wood in Canada is much greater than the United as white flecks in the summerwood. States' domestic production. The most recent esti- The wood is lustrous and without characteristic mates (for 1963) put eastern spruce lumber produc- odor or taste. It is medium- to fine-textured, usually tion at 2,735 million board feet and pulpwood pro- straight and even grained, and in the form of thin duction at 9 million cords. boards it has exceptional resonance qualities. It is In addition to these products, limited amounts of moderately light in weight with an average specific eastern spruce timber are harvested for poles, pilings, gravity of approximately 0.37 green and 0.41 to 0.45 boatbuilding, and cooperage stock. oven dried. The average weight of air dried eastern MILLION BOARD FEET 1500

1250

1000

750

500

250

1869 1879 1889 1899 1909 1919 1929 1939 1949 1959 1969 Figure 12.-Domestic production of eastern spruce lumber, 1869 to 1969.

CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES spruce at 12 percent moisture is 28 pounds per cubic foot. The wood is moderately soft and not very re- spruce cannot The wood of red, white, and black sistant to bending or end-wise compression but it is be distinguished with certainty by either gross char- moderately stiff and therefore has unusual strength acteristics or minute anatomy. Normally, however, for its weight. It has moderately high shrinkage but the heartwood of red spruce is nearly white with a is easily air dried or kiln dried. It is easily worked, of of white slight tinge red, while the heartwood and glues well, has average paint holding ability, but rates is a white. The black spruce pale yellowish sapwood low in nail holding ability. It rates low in resistance of three is all usually lighter in color than the heart, to decay and is difficult to penetrate with preservatives. and in mature trees ranges from i to 2 inches thick. Eastern spruce is excellent for pulp and paper The annual growth rings are distinct, with a marked making and has long been used for this purpose. difference in color between the summerwood and the Because of its long fibers, light color, and freedom springwood of the succeeding ring. The transition from springwood to summerwood is gradual, with the from resins it has always been in strong demand for summerwood somewhat darker and narrower than the the mechanical and suiphite pulp making processes. springwood. The distinguishing characteristic that Small amounts are also used in the sulphate process. readily separates the wood of spruces from that of The pulp from both suiphite and sulphate processes true firs is the presence in the spruces of resin ducts has excellent color, bleaches easily, and produces or canals that are visable with a hand lens and appear strong papers of fine texture. The mechanical proc-

9 ess also yields a pulp of good color and good strength, Collingswood, G. H., and Warren D. Brush. suitable for all uses that require this type of pulp, 1964. Knowing your trees. 349 p. Revised and such as newsprint, books, and wallpaper. edited by Devereux Butcher. Am. For. Assoc., Washington, D.C. PRINCIPAL USES Gill, Thomas G., and Robert B. Phelps. The early shipbuilding industry of colonial New 1969. Wood used in manufacturing industries, England created the first market for eastern spruce 1965. U.S. Dep. Agric. Stat. Bull. 440, 101 p. timber and appreciable amounts of red spruce were Harlow, W. M., and E. S. Harrar. used for masts and spars. Later, as supplies of eastern 1958. Textbook of dendrology. 4th ed. 561 p. white pine dwindled, eastern spruce lumber came into McGraw-Hill Inc. general use for building construction and industrial Hutchinson, O. Keith. uses. In recent years the principal uses of eastern spruce lumber have been for containers, prefabricated 1967. Alaska's forest resource. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Bull. PNW-19, 74 dwellings, mobile homes, furniture, and pallets, as well p. as construction lumber. Lesser amounts are used in Little, Elbert L., Jr. general hiillwork, sash and door construction, ladder 1953. Check list of native and naturalized trees of rails, scaffold planks, and boat construction. Eastern the United States (including Alaska) . U.S. Dep. spruce is highly prized for piano sounding boards and Agric., Agric. Handbk. 41, 472 p. for other musical instruments, such as violins, that Merrick, Gordon D. require a wood with excellent resonant qualities. 1951. Wood used in manufacture-1948. USDA Recent statistics indicate that over 400 million board Forest Serv. Forest Resour. Rep. 2, 66 p. feet of eastern spruce lumber are used annually by the manufacturing industries of the United States; Panshin, A. J., Carl de Zeeuw, and H. P. Brown. 1964. Textbook of wood technology, Vol. Struc- most of this volume is imported from Canada, and a 1, substantial amount of it is manufactured from logs ture, identification, uses and properties of the that have been exported from the United States. commercial woods of United States, 2nd ed., 643 McGraw-Hill, The largest single use of eastern spruce is for paper p. Inc. pulp, most of which is pulped by the sulfite and me- Steer, Henry B. chanical processes. It is manufactured into a wide 1948. Lumber production in the United States- range of products, from pulp board, newsprint, and 1799-1946. U.S. Dep. Agric. Misc. Pub!. 669, wrapping papers to high quality book and writing 233 p. papers and rayon. As in the case of eastern spruce U.S. Department of Agriculture lumber, increasing imports from Canada are needed 1955. Wood handbook. U.S. Dep. Agric., Agric. to supply the demand. Handbk. 72, 528 p. REFERENCES USDA Forest Service. 1957. Red spruce (Pkea rubens) . Useful trees of Blythe, James E. the United States. No. 8, 4 p. 1969. Pulpwood production and consumption in the north central region-1967. USDA Forest Serv. USDA Forest Service. 1958. Timber resources for America's future. USDA Res. Bull. NC-6, 23 p. Forest Serv. Res. Rep. 14, 713 Bones, James T., and David R. Dickson. p. 1970. Pulpwood production in the northeast-1969. USDA Forest Service. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Bull. NE-22, 34 p. 1965a. Silvics of forest trees of the United States. Canada, Department of Northern Affairs and National U.S. Dep. Agric., Agric. Handbk. 271, 762 p. Resources, Forestry Branch. USDA Forest Service. 1957. Forest and forest products statistics, Canada. 1965b. Timber trends in the United States. USDA Bull. 106, 70 p. Forest Serv. Res. Rep. 17, 235 p.

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