Wood Species Guide
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
Also called: European Spruce, German Spruce, Alpine Spruce, Whitewood, White Deal, Baltic Whitewood, Italian Spruce
About the name “Norway Spruce”
Luthiers call this wood European, German, Alpine or Italian spruce depending on where it grew; all are Picea abies. European lumber yards sell it as whitewood or white deal. It is not the same as red pine, which is sometimes called Norway pine.
What Norway Spruce looks like
Creamy white to pale yellowish, with little contrast between heartwood and sapwood. It ages to a soft honey color.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a fine, even texture. Slow-grown mountain wood has very tight, regular rings.
Working Norway Spruce: planing, cutting and gluing
Very easy to work by hand or machine. Hard knots can chip tools and tear out. It glues, nails and screws well.
Finishing Norway Spruce: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes clear finishes well and ambers with age. Stain blotches, so condition first. Seal knots with shellac before epoxy or a film finish.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Little decay resistance and susceptible to insects, including termites. Stable once dry. In Florida it is an indoor wood.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Norway spruce is the classic soundboard wood of violins and European guitars, and it is also everyday construction lumber across Europe. Tonewood grades are expensive and carefully split or quartersawn. Imported European glulam beams and paneling are often this species. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Norway Spruce
Violin, guitar and piano soundboards, construction lumber, glulam beams, paneling, pulp and Christmas trees.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
Norway spruce dust is reported to cause skin irritation and asthma-like symptoms more often than most spruces. Some people become sensitized over time.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask or respirator when sanding
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Norway spruce dust has been reported to cause skin irritation and asthma-like symptoms, and spruce can act as a sensitizer. Use dust collection and a mask or respirator when sanding.
Norway Spruce in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Norway Spruce listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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