Sitka spruce has above-average stiffness with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Sitka spruce dries readily with moderate shrinkage, small dimensional movement and minimal tendency to check. It is relatively easy to work and has satisfactory to good machining properties, turns, planes, shapes, sands and finishes well. It glues easily and has moderate nail and screw holding ability.
It high strength to weight ratio has made it an excellent choice for specialized applications such as aircraft parts and masts and spars for sailboats. In addition, its unique acoustic properties make it the preferred choice for musical instrument components such as piano sound boards and guitar parts.
Physical Properties
Density (air dry average): 430 kg/cubic meters
Specific gravity (oven dry average): 0.39
Modulus of elasticity: 11 200 MPa
Modulus of rupture: 68.8 MPa