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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
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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 |
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| Rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery of its range |
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| Globally secure |
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| Data source is Nature Conservancy |
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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 |
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| Brown |
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| Orange |
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| White |
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| Red |
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| Purple |
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| White to cream |
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| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange |
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| Pale brown |
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| Red |
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| Brown |
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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 |
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| Yellow |
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| Brown |
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| Red |
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| Color not distinct from heartwood |
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Grain
| Straight |
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| Figure |
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| Even |
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| Growth rings (figure) |
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| Distinct (figure) |
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| Straight |
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| Clear growth rings (figure) |
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| Even |
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| Distinct figure |
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Texture
| Fine |
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| Medium |
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| Fine |
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| Fine to medium |
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| Medium |
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Luster
Natural Durability
| Non-durable |
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| Perishable |
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| Moderately durable |
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| Non durable |
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| Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) |
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| Should not be used under high decay hazard conditions without proper protection |
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| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present |
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| Heartwood has very little resistance to decay |
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Odor
| Has an odor |
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| Very fine |
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| Distinct (figure) |
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| No specific smell or taste |
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Kiln Schedules
| US=T9E5/T7E4 |
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| UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S |
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| UK=K US=T11B4/T10B3 |
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| UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 |
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Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
| Rapidly |
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| Fairly Easy |
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| Reconditioning Treatement |
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| Slowly |
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| Easy |
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| Moderate |
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| Air dries readily |
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Kiln Drying Rate
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m |
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| Tree height is 20-30 m |
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| Tree height is 10-20 m |
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| Tree height is 0-10 m |
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| Bark width is 5-10 mm |
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| Bark width is 15-20 mm |
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| Bark width is 10-15 mm |
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| Tree height is 50-60 m |
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| Tree height is 60-70 m |
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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 |
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Boring
| Very good to excellent results |
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| Fairly easy to very easy |
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| Responds very well to boring |
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| Easy |
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Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Easy to glue |
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| Excellent gluing properties |
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Mortising
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very good mortising characteristics |
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| Finishes well |
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| Easy to mortise |
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Moulding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Very good moulding properties |
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| Good finishing results |
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| Easy to mould |
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Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability - Small Movement |
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| Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement |
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| Stable |
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Nailing
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Poor to Very Poor Results |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Holds nails well |
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| Nails hold poorly |
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| Easy to nail |
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| Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations |
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Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
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| Very good planing properties |
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| Planes well, to a good finish |
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| Easy to plane |
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Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood |
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| Permeable sapwood |
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| Resistant sapwood |
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| Heartwood is resistant |
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| Resistant to preservative treatment |
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Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work |
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| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work |
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| Easy to machine |
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Routing & Recessing
| Routing yields good results |
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| Routing is easy |
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Screwing
| Poor to Very Poor Results |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Good screw holding properties |
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| Easy to screw |
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Turning
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Turns very well |
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| Good results |
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| Easy to turn |
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Veneering Qualities
| Veneers easily |
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| Veneers moderately easy |
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| Difficult to veneer |
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| Suitable for peeling |
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| No drying degrade |
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| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits |
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| Moderately easy to veneer |
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Painting
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Good results |
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| Satisfactory results |
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Polishing
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Good results |
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Staining
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Finish is generally good |
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Varnishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Good results |
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Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low |
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| Hardness (side grain) = very soft |
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| Low |
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| Low |
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| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low |
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| Max. crushing strength = very low |
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| Mor/Bending strength = very low |
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| Toughness (total work) = very low |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = small |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = small |
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| Medium |
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| Medium |
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| Max. crushing strength = very low |
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| Low |
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| 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. |
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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 | | % |
| | | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| | | |
| Bending Strength | 358 | 613 | kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength | 16 | 32 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | | 416 | kg/m3 |
| Hardness | | 161 | kg |
| Impact Strength | 50 | 43 | cm |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 166 | 326 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | | 73 | kg/cm2 |
| Static Bending | 220 | 406 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 83 | 101 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Toughness | | 109 | cm-kg |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.42 | 0.56 | cm-kg/cm3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.32 | 0.34 | |
| Weight | 432 | 400 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | | % |
References
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin.
Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA
Canadian Forestry Service. 1981. Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors. Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada.
Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London
Constantine, Jr., A.J. 1975. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York
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
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.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research
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
Lauricio, F.M., Bellosillo, S.B.,1966,Fifth Progress Report on the Mechanical and Related Properties of,Philippine woods,Philippine Lumberman,12(5,p66
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.
Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.
Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479
McSwain, G.A. et al,1970,American Woods - Engelmann Spruce,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-264
Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition
Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press
Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition
U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72
USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook : Wood as an Engineering Material. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
Western Wood Products Association. 19__. Softwoods of the Western USA. Published and Distributed by the Western Wood Products Association, Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon.
Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London
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