Similar to Douglas Fir in grain character, this species grows in the Pacific Northwest, found from Sonoma up through Prince William Sound in Alaska.  It’s best known for use in the paper and pulp industry, which is the largest sector of the wood products industry.  Oddly enough, it does not grow well in a monoculture, but is found in stands of Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir.  In the veneer industry, special logs will be pulled from the harvest and can be flat sliced or quartered.  Although there is more interest in the latter, as a veneer species, it is not that popular when compared to some of the other Western softwoods.