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What is Pinewood?
Spruce Wood: Properties and Applications
Spruce wood, marketed as 'Spruce' and known by the botanical name Abies spp., is a commonly used type of wood sourced from Europe and North America. The wood is valued for its straight grain, moderately coarse texture, and light flames on the surface. Spruce wood is suitable for various applications, both in construction and in furniture and instrument making.
Read the article about the Spruce Tree and its species.
Origin
Spruce wood belongs to the family of Pinaceae and is found in various regions:
- Europe: Abies alba Mill. (European Spruce)
-
East and West America:
- Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.
- Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. (Eastern Fir)
- Abies grandis Lindl.
- Abies amabilis Dougl. Ex Forbes
- Abies nobilis Lindl.
- Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. (Western Fir)
Appearance and Structure
Spruce wood has a straight grain, moderately coarse texture, and light flames on the surface. The heartwood is white, cream-white to very light brown, and the sapwood is indistinguishable from the heartwood.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Grain | Straight grain |
| Texture | Moderately coarse |
| Flames | Light flames on the surface |
| Heartwood color | White, cream-white to very light brown |
| Sapwood color | Indistinguishable from heartwood |
Durability
Durability of Spruce Wood
The heartwood of spruce wood is not very durable (natural durability class IV), and the sapwood is not durable (natural durability class V). Both heartwood and sapwood are susceptible to damage from Hylotrupes and Anobium.
- Durability class of heartwood: IV
- Durability class of sapwood: V
Processing and Drying
Spruce wood dries moderately quickly, with a risk of warping, blue stain in the sapwood and adjacent heartwood, and loosening knots. It is easy to work with.
Finishing and Treatment
The finishing of spruce wood poses few problems. For load-bearing structures under a roof, the wood must be treated in advance according to procedure A2.1, or A2.2 if the wood is glued laminated.
Technical Specifications
| Property | European Spruce | Western Fir | Eastern Fir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average density | 460 kg/m³ | 430 kg/m³ | 400 kg/m³ |
| Radial shrinkage (60-30% r.h.) | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Radial shrinkage (90-60% r.h.) | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| Tangential shrinkage (60-30% r.h.) | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Tangential shrinkage (90-60% r.h.) | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Movement (60-30% r.h.) | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Movement (90-60% r.h.) | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Modulus of elasticity | 9000-10,000 N/mm² | 9000-10,000 N/mm² | 9000-10,000 N/mm² |
Applications
Spruce wood is versatile and suitable for various applications, including:
- Load-bearing structures under roofs (also glued laminated)
- Interior carpentry
- Furniture
- Instrument making
- Small items
- Boxes and packaging
- Cheese and bread boards
Conclusion
Spruce wood is a versatile and easy-to-work-with type of wood suitable for a wide range of applications, both indoors and outdoors. Despite its lower durability, it remains a popular choice due to its good workability and attractive appearance.