Wood Species Guide

White Spruce

Picea glauca

Also called: Canadian Spruce, Eastern Spruce, Cat Spruce, Skunk Spruce, Alberta White Spruce; sold in SPF and ESLP lumber

White spruce is the common spruce of Canada's boreal forest and a big part of SPF framing lumber. It is pale, light and even-grained.
DomesticSoftwoodFirs & Spruces
Good forBudget-Friendly

What White Spruce looks like

Nearly white to pale yellowish cream, with almost no visible heartwood. It has a soft natural luster.

Grain and texture

Straight grain with a fine, even texture and fairly small knots.

Working White Spruce: planing, cutting and gluing

Easy to cut, plane and nail. Knots are small but hard and can dull or chip. It glues well and is light to handle.

Finishing White Spruce: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Paints and clear coats well. Stain may blotch, so condition first. Seal knots before epoxy or a film finish so they don't bleed or bubble.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Little decay resistance and susceptible to insects. Stable once dry. In Florida, keep it indoors and dry.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

White spruce is the backbone of Canadian SPF framing lumber, and clear quartersawn pieces are used for piano soundboards. Most 2x stock you see labeled SPF includes some of it. It is fine for shop furniture and jigs. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.

Common uses for White Spruce

Construction lumber, pulp and paper, millwork, crates, piano soundboards and other instrument parts.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating LowWhat the ratings mean
  • Skin irritation
  • Respiratory / asthma

Reactions are uncommon. Spruce dust can irritate skin and airways in some people.

In the shop
Dust collection and a mask 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.

Spruce dust is occasionally reported to irritate skin and airways and can act as a sensitizer. Use dust collection and a mask when sanding.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

White Spruce in stock now

Ask us. We can often source it.

We don't have White 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.

Call (239) 331-5925 Book a slab & lumber visit

Similar woods: Firs & Spruces

See the Firs & Spruces group guide

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