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White Spruce

Picea glauca

Also known as: Canadian Spruce, Skunk Spruce, Cat Spruce

Technical Spec Sheet

2026-07-14

White Spruce wood grain

Reference grain swatch

Janka Hardness
380 lbf (1,690 N)
Avg. Dried Weight
425 kg/m³ (27 lb/ft³)
Specific Gravity
0.42
Type
Softwood
Grain
Usually straight
Texture
Fine and even
Durability
Non-durable; susceptible to decay
Region
North America
Sustainability
Sustainable — Sustainable - abundant across boreal North America

Overview

White Spruce is a major commercial softwood of the North American boreal forest, used extensively for pulp and construction. It is also valued for musical instrument soundboards, offering good resonance at a lower cost than Sitka or Norway spruce.

Heartwood is cream to pale yellowish-white. Sapwood is similar. Density averages 425 kg/m³ with a Janka hardness of 380 lbf. Fine, even texture with usually straight grain. Low to moderate shrinkage.

Workshop Notes

Blunting Effect

Low - soft wood

Gluing

Excellent gluing properties

Finishing

Good - takes stain and finish well

Steam Bending

Moderate - can steam bend

Scent

Mild, sometimes pungent when crushed (skunk spruce)

Assessment

Strengths

  • Lightweight
  • Resonant
  • Easy to work
  • Abundant

Weaknesses

  • Low durability
  • Knotty in lower grades
  • Can split

Common Uses

Pulp · Construction · Soundboards · Plywood · Boxes · Crates