Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis): Family Pinaceae
Both Spruces (Picea) and Firs (Abies) have the needles arising singly. In Spruces the needles have a spiral arrangement around the twig and each arises on a peg. The needles are shed after 4-10 years but the peg remains. In Firs (Abies) the needles tend to be in 2 ranks and arise on a structure resembling a suction cup. In spruces the cones are pendulous while in firs they are erect. (nb Douglas Fir is not at Abies sp and has pendulous cones). Sitka Spruce is the most commonly planted forestry conifer, introduced from North America in 1831. Norway Spruce (Picea abies) has been cultivated in Britain since C10 and mostly a lowland species. P.sitchensis has conspicuous pale line on the underside of the needles and female cones to 10cm; P.abies has inconspicuous pale line and female cones 10-20cm.
All images shown here taken 1st May Struy (Highlands)
All images shown here taken 1st May Struy (Highlands)