Sitka Spruce
Picea sitchensis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- Picea sitchensis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brown angle shades (Phlogophora periculosa), Choristoneura orae, Cydia youngana, Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis), Eastern blackheaded budworm (Acleris variana), Endothenia albolineana, Epinotia hopkinsana, Eupithecia annulata, Eupithecia columbrata, Eupithecia longipalpata, Eupithecia mutata, Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Gabriola dyari, gray spruce looper (Caripeta divisata), Imitated Melanolophia (Melanolophia imitata), larch budmoth (Zeiraphera diniana), Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), packard's archips moth (Archips packardiana), Petrova burkeana, pulmonaria stenoporpia (Stenoporpia pulmonaria), Ratzeburg's tortricid moth (Zeiraphera ratzeburgiana), Semiothisa granitata, Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata), Spiramater lutra, spruce bud moth (Zeiraphera canadensis), spruce coneworm (Dioryctria reniculella), Synanthedon novaroensis, Syngrapha rectangula, zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Zeiraphera improbana, Zeiraphera pacifica, Zeiraphera unfortunana, Zeiraphera vancouverana, Menapia White (Neophasia menapia)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in coastal environments with high humidity.
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds germinated at 22 C. Germination was equal in light and in dark.
Source: npn.rngr.net