softwood · Picea sitchensis
Sitka Spruce wood properties
Also known as: sitka spruce.
| Type | softwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Picea sitchensis |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,600,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.42 |
| Density (approx) | 26 lb/ft³ (2.2 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 510 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 7.5% / 4.3% |
| Movement coefficient (CT / CR) | 0.00263 / 0.00148 |
| Region | Northwestern North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Sitka Spruce weighs about 8.7 lb (roughly 26 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 510 lbf is harder than about 19% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: aircraft components, musical instrument soundboards, boat masts and spars, millwork, lumber.
Durability: Heartwood ranges from slightly resistant to non-resistant against decay.
Workability: Easy where free of knots; glues and finishes well, though staining may blotch.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Sitka Spruce:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR from the "Spruce, sitka" row of the FPL/Hoadley table. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.