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SITKA SPRUCE (Picea sitchensis)
Other names: yellow spruce, silver spruce, coast
spruce, spruce.

GOOD

The Sitka spruce is found from northern California to the Kenai peninsula in Alaska, along the Pacific Coast. Old growth trees will range up to 8 ft. in diameter and the characteristic "swelled" butt is even larger. The blaze is frequently decayed on the original bearing-trees and may be healed or deep.; within the overgrowth though still open. A Sitka spruce, marked at 16", has been found with 48" of overgrowth, perfectly preserved, under an ideal growing condition. This is the exceptional situation however. When dead and fallen the log, or stump, decays rapidly. The scribe marks are usually weathered or only fragmentary. 

Avoid the large old growth trees in favor of the young and healthy specimens, 10" to 14" in diameter, if possible. The bark is thin and should not be bark scribed. Blaze into the ,sapwood with as small a blaze as possible and keep it well drained to avoid water accumulation. On larger trees blaze a buttress root; Which will survive longer if cut by logging. Paint thoroughly.