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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Picea abies Trade Name Norway spruce Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Baltic white pine , Baltic whitewood, Common spruce, European spruce, European whitewood, Finnish whitewood, Fir, Gran, Northern whitewood, Norway spruce, Russian whitewood, Spruce, Spruce fir, Violin wood, White baltic, White deal, White fir, White pine, Whitewood Regions of Distribution Eastern Europe, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom Common Uses Balusters, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Carvings, Casks, Ceiling, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, General carpentry, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments , Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Organ pipes, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Plain veneer, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Sounding boards, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stringers, Structural plywood, Sub-flooring, Utility plywood, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Wainscotting, Xylophones Environmental Profile Rare Extinct Endangered Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center A sub-species, P. abies ssp. obovata , which is native to Norway, Finland, and Sweden, is currently classified as Rare within its natural habitat in Norway Distribution Overview The species is widely distributed throughout Europe, except in Denmark and the Netherlands. Although Norway spruce is native to and occurs in the wild over most of northern and central Europe, it is widely cultivated in the United Kingdom and southeastern Canada. It has also been successfully planted in the northeast, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Coast regions in the United States. The tree usually grows in moist soils in humid, cool, temperate regions. Heartwood Color Brown Red White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pinkish brown Brown The wood varies from almost white to pale yellow-brownish in color Sapwood Color Yellow White Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Figure Growth rings (figure) Straight Even Crossed Spiral Other (figure) Weak (figure) Clear growth rings (figure) Straight Weak figure Spiral Other figure Generally straight, but not always Growth rings are visible because of the contrast between the darker outer latewood and the lighter earlywood. Texture Fine Medium Luster Slightly lustrous Lustrous The material possesses a natural luster Natural Growth Defects Latex or other ducts Gum/resin streaks Natural Durability Non durable Susceptible to attack by fungi Sapwood is vulnerable to attack by furniture beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable Moderately durable Heartwood is vulnerable to attack by longhorn and pinhole borer beetles, and by wood wasps Odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content The tree produces resin. Resin exuded through the bark of the tree is called Burgundy pitch, and has been used to produce plasters Toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Slight end splitting Expect moderate degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Moderate surface checking There is little tendency for the wood to check and split during drying. Knots may split and loosen, and material with pronounced spiral grain may distort Ease of Drying Easy Moderate Requires care to minimize degrade Dries rapidly Air-dries rather well Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m The large tree usually has a straight trunk and grows to a height of about 80 feet (24 m), with a diameter of about 24 inches (60 cm). The young trees are used for Christmas trees. Product Sources Much of Norway spruce bes imported into the United Kingdom from Russia and Scandinavia under the trade name of Whitewood or White deal. Substitutes Simarouba (Simarouba amara) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is variable Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on cutting edges is slight, but hard, dead knots may damage tool edges Cutting Resistance Rather low Gluing Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Glues well Movement in Service Small Stable Moderate stability when properly seasoned Medium Medium movement in use. Nailing Holds nails well Easy to nail Good nailing characteristics Planing Difficult to plane Knotty wood requires sharp cutting edges for best results, because tear may occur around knots in planing. Clear stock works easily with both hand and machine tools in planing, turning, boring, moulding, and in most wood working operations to produce smooth and clean surfaces Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is permeable Poor response to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Very sharp cutting edges are required to produce a smooth surface Variable qualities Responds well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Sanding Good sanding properties Screwing Screwing yields good results Easy to screw Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Moderately easy to veneer Easy to cut Steam Bending Very poor Painting Good results Takes paint well Satisfactory results Polishing Good results Staining Finish is generally good Good staining qualities Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Good results Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Medium Max. crushing strength = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness (total work) = very low Small Mor/Bending strength = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Moderate Max. crushing strength = very low Low Low Low Fairly large 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Trength properties are reported to vary widely and are dependent upon origin, but the timber is comparable to Redwood (Sequoia) in most respects. It has medium bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). It is closer in strength to Mahogany than either Teak or White oak. It is weak in compression parallel to grain (maximum crushing strength). The wood is soft, and surfaces may dent easily. It also does not wear well, and mars easily. Wood is low in weight, and has average, or medium, density. Wood produced by Spruce trees from central and eastern Europe possesses exceptional resonance qualities and is used for sound boards of pianos and bellies of violins and guitars. Work to Maximum Load Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5299 9128 psi Density 28 lbs/ft3 Hardness 377 lbs Impact Strength 19 17 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2816 5149 psi Shearing Strength 1138 psi Stiffness 1121 1406 1000 psi Toughness 130 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 9 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.43 Weight 25 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 372 641 kg/cm2 Density 448 kg/m3 Hardness 171 kg Impact Strength 48 43 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 197 362 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 80 kg/cm2 Stiffness 78 98 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 149 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.42 0.63 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.43 Weight 400 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1992. Good Wood Handbook - The Wood worker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. HarperCollins Publishers, London Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Mitchell, A.F. 1985. Conifers. Forestry Commision Booklet No. 15. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet - No.48 Whitewood (Picea abies,TRADA Timber Leaflet T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H. 1965. Commercial Timbers of the World. Third Edition (Enlarged of A ConRussiae Encyclopedia of World Timbers). The Technical Press Ltd., London. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Wallis, N.K. 1956. Australian Timber Handbook. Sponsored by The Timber Development Association of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Ltd., 89 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, Australia. WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center - Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.