Estonian Forest Trees – European spruce

The European spruce (Picea abies) is a tall tree with a conical crown and a thin grey-brown bark. The largest trees of the species are 65 m tall, with trunks up to 2.5 m in diameter, and estimated to be over 500 years old. The tallest spruce in Estonia (44.1 m) grows in Järvselja.

The enormous range of the European spruce extends from Northern and Central Europe to the Far East. Spruce is one of the most important tree species, next to pine and birch, covering nearly 19% of the forest land in Estonia. In Estonian forests, the European spruce mainly cohabits with the silver birch, aspen, and pine; and it can also be found in cultivated pure strands. As a shade-tolerant species, it also grows as undergrowth and second-growth forest. Due to its superficial root system, the European spruce is sensitive to storms. The shoots of young trees are damaged by late-spring frosts. The species does not tolerate polluted air and is susceptible to diseases and pests.

The brownish-white, soft, light, and dense spruce wood is used in construction, carpentry, furniture industry, paper-making and as firewood. It is also used as resonance wood in the manufacture of musical instruments. Its bark, rich in tannins, is used in tanning and its resin as an ingredient in varnishes. The European spruce is a popular choice for hedge plants and it is a beloved Christmas tree.