World of Wood

The Wonderful World of Wood:

Norway Spruce:

• "Picea abies"

Other Names:

• European whitewood.
• European spruce.

Sources:

• Europe.

Tree Characteristics:

• An important timber producing tree, it reaches an average height of about 120ft but can grow to 200ft in favourable conditions.
• Young trees are cultivated to provide the traditional Cristmas tree.

Characteristics of the wood:

• A lustrous straight grained even textured wood, with almost white earlywood and pale yellow brown latewood
• The sapwood is virtually indistinguishable from the heartwood. It has similar strength properties to European redwood (Pinus sylvestris), but the growth rings are not so prominent.
• It is not a durable wood for exterior use.

Workability:

• An easy wood to work using hand and machine tools, it cuts cleanly and can be sanded to a fine surface.
• It glues well.

Average dried weight:

• 29lb/cuft.

Finishing:

• it can be sanded satisfactorily, and finishes well with paint and varnish.

Common uses:

• Interior building construction .
• Joinery.
• Flooring.
• Boxes and plywood.
• Selected slow grown wood has excellent tonal qualities, and is used for piano soundboards and violin and guitar bellies.