Black Spruce
Picea mariana
Genus: Picea · Family: Pinaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Softwood
Native Range
North America
Avg. Dried Weight
28 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
520 lbf
Decay Resistance
Non-Durable
Typical Color
White / Straw
Stability
Medium
Outdoor Suitability
Poor
Workability
Easy
Availability
Common in U.S.
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Black Spruce is harder than 14% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Soft
Overview
Professional Summary
Black Spruce (Picea mariana) is a boreal softwood spanning vast northern forests across Canada and Alaska. At 520 lbf Janka, it's a lightweight, pale construction timber primarily sold within the SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) grade group. Its slow northern growth produces tight, even grain.
In Plain English
Black Spruce grows across the vast boreal forests of Canada — it's one of the most common trees in North America. As lumber, it's grouped with other spruces and pines for house framing. It's also important for paper pulp.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Construction framing (as SPF lumber), pulpwood for paper, and general utility lumber.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Not durable outdoors. Weak compared to southern pines. Small diameter logs limit board widths.
Native Distribution
Find Substitutes
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Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar white / straw color that are easily confused with Black Spruce. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
