Sitka Spruce
Picea sitchensis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Rosser1954
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- Picea sitchensis
- USDA Symbol:
- PISI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 7000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Thin bark and shallow roots make Sitka spruce highly susceptible to fire damage; typically killed by even low-intensity fires.
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.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 21–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Light improves germination. Seeds are relatively short-lived and should be sown fresh or stored cold.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds germinated at 22 C. Germination was equal in light and in dark.
Source: npn.rngr.net