| Shape | Symmetrical, open, loose and pyramidal. The base of the tree normally measures 1 m in diameter above the buttress base. Trees at maturity are clad in 0.5-1 m length lateral slender branches. |
| Propagation | |
| Cultivation | Can withstand partial shade however, thrives in full sunlight with sandy, swampy soils, requiring moist soils; it is not drought tolerant. |
| Pests | Scale is common with this species as are aphids and mites. |
| Notable Specimens | Queets River, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States of America. |
| Habitat | The Sitka spruce grows in a thin strip along wet and rocky slopes of the west coast of North America from Alaska to California. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The bark of this tree ranges in thickness from 0.5-1.5 cm. The bark is loosely attached at the surface. Young tree scales are reddish cinnamon in colour and mature to a deeper reddish brown. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The buds are 0.5-15 cm in length, conical, acute or ovoid in shape. The scales are a pale brown chestnut colour in the winter. The tips are sharply pointed and reflexed above the middle. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are 1-3 cm in length. Forming almost at a 90° angle around the branch, the stiff leaves are bluish grey with a white underside. Gradually tapering needles come to a sharp callous tip. Leaves are retained for 9-11 years. |
| Fruit Description | Cone colour varies with the season. New cones are a yellow-green in colour and once fully grown will have a reddish brown colour. The shape of the cones is oblong-cylindrical. The cones are 10 cm in length. The seeds are smaller at the base and have oblong wings 0.8-1.5 cm long. |