Sitka Spruce

Picea sitchensis

Tall, fast growing conifer reaching 50 metres in Britain. A native of Western North America. It prefers wet, acid soil in upland areas and is grown in vast quantities as a plantation tree. It can be recognised by its bluish needles and small rounded cones. The needles are thick and rigid and point forwards on the top of the stalk. They spread out from all around the stalk except the underside. Sitka Spruce has ascending branches.