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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 Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Picea engelmannii Trade Name Engelmann spruce Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Arizona spruce, Balsam, Engelmann spruce, Mountain spruce, Rocky Mountain spruce, Silver spruce, Spruce, Western spruce, Western white spruce, White spruce Regions of Distribution Central America, North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, Mexico, United States Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casks, Charcoal, Drum sticks, Fiber moulded products, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Hardboards, Heavy construction, Insulating boards, Joinery, Lifeboats, Light construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Oars, Organ pipes, Packing cases, Pallets, Particleboard, Piano keys, Pianos , Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Railroad ties, Round timbers, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sounding boards, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Xylophones Environmental Profile Widespread and abundant within its natural range Rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery of its range Globally secure Data source is Nature Conservancy Distribution Overview Engelmann spruce occurs as a dominant species with Subalpine fir and in association with other conifers in subalpine zones up to the timberline. Its range extends from central British Columbia and southwest Alberta southeast to New Mexico. It is found mainly in the Rocky Mountains at elevations of 8000 to 12000 feet (2438 to 3659 m) in the north and at 2000 feet (619 m) in the south. Heartwood Color Yellow Brown Orange White Red Purple White to cream Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Red Brown The wood is nearly white to pale yellowish brown. Wood of Engelmann spruce is very similar to that of Eastern spruce (P. rubens ), and is very difficult to differentiate Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Figure Even Growth rings (figure) Distinct (figure) Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Even Distinct figure Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Medium Luster Lustrous Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Moderately durable Non durable Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Should not be used under high decay hazard conditions without proper protection Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Heartwood has very little resistance to decay Odor Has an odor Very fine Distinct (figure) No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules US=T9E5/T7E4 UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S UK=K US=T11B4/T10B3 UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 Drying Defects Checking Distortion Ease of Drying Rapidly Fairly Easy Reconditioning Treatement Slowly Easy Moderate Air dries readily Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Bark width is 5-10 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 60-70 m Named after George Engelmann (1809-1884), the tree is described as large, with a dark or blue-green foliage, and matures to a height of 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m), with a trunk diameter of 18 to 30 inches (45 to 60 cm). Hybrids of the species are reported to occur in areas where the ranges of Engelmann spruce and White spruce (Picea glauca ) overlap. Product Sources Wood produced by White, Red, Black, and Engelmann spruce are so similar in structural properties that they cannot be differentaited and are usually mixed and marketed together. Some Engelmann spruce lumber is available from stands of trees killed by beetle infestation. The resonant qualities of Engelmann spruce are reported to make it a popular choice for piano sounding boards and violins Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Very good to excellent results Fairly easy to very easy Responds very well to boring Easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Excellent gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very good mortising characteristics Finishes well Easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Very good moulding properties Good finishing results Easy to mould Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Stable Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Holds nails well Nails hold poorly Easy to nail Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very good planing properties Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Resistant to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Routing yields good results Routing is easy Screwing Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good screw holding properties Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turns very well Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Suitable for peeling No drying degrade There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Painting Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Satisfactory results Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally good Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Low Low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = very low Mor/Bending strength = very low Toughness (total work) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Medium Medium Max. crushing strength = very low Low 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Trength properties are rated as moderate in general. Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is medium. 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. Weight and density are about average. Engelmann spruce is very resilient. Work to Maximum Load Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5105 8728 psi Crushing Strength 230 456 psi Density 26 lbs/ft3 Hardness 357 lbs Impact Strength 20 17 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2369 4648 psi Shearing Strength 1050 psi Static Bending 3136 5782 psi Stiffness 1189 1438 1000 psi Toughness 95 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.32 0.34 Weight 27 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12