Spruce Vs. Pine Vs. Fir Wood

Identification

• Pine, spruce and fir trees are all conifer trees. They are identified easily by their needles and cones with seeds, as deciduous trees have leaves and different forms -- such as an acorn -- with seeds instead. Pine trees feature needles that cluster in groups of two, three or five and jet outward from the branches, whereas spruce and fir trees feature needles that are individually attached to the branches. Furthermore, pine cones are woody with a rigid exterior, while spruce cones are thinner and more flexible.

Pros and Cons of Spruce Wood

• Spruce features a straight grain. It is a light, softer wood, but it works well for basic construction projects. Spruce trees that have been allowed to grow and mature have been found to possess acoustical properties, making the tree better suited for use in the construction of musical instruments such as guitars, violins and pianos. Spruce can also be used to build airplane panels and boat hulls, ladders and oars. However, spruce is known to rot easily, swell easily and also burn easily.

Pros and Cons of Pine Wood

• Pine is an extremely soft wood that is known to dent and damage easily. Many pine trees have been excessively harvested for their wood, resulting in lumber from younger, immature pines. Pine is very lightweight, but some species will be heavier than others. The species can make all the difference in what project the wood is used for, as soft pines cannot be used for making guitars while a hard pine such as digger pine can be used to create a guitar body successfully.

Pros and Cons of Fir Wood

• Fir wood can go either way and be ideal for use in construction or shoddy and undesirable, depending on the species. Douglas fir woods are strong and ideal, with straight grains that are the result of long, straight trunks. Their wood is resilient and therefore a favorite choice for many people in various trades. The dense grain of the fir wood make it ideal for use in construction, as it holds a nail well and can be used for flooring, windows, panels, trim and doors. Fir is also used in plywood of both high and low quality.