Spruce Identity card

Scientific name: Picea

Classification: Pinaceae family 

Number of species: 43

Common spruce

Scientific name: Picea excelsa

Maximum tree height: 40 m

Maximum tree diameter: 1,5 m

Density: 0,40 to 0,50

Wood characteristics: Creamy white wood. Sapwood and heartwood undifferentiated. Straight thread. Fine grain, no interlocked grain. Soft and light. Not very durable. Rather pronounced resinous odor when fresh.

Mechanical properties: Resilient wood. Those from high altitudes, with fine increments, have remarkable properties for their weight. But very fissile and not very adherent.

Technological properties: Quick drying. Fairly easy to work wood. A certain tendency for the fibers to pull out during sawing. Before waxing, oiling or varnishing, it is recommended to flame the wood and then sand it.