SITKA SPRUCE - Picea sitchensis

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Description

The tree is conical in shape and grows to over 60 metres. Its leaves are flattened and pointed and bright blue green above and blue white waxy beneath.

In the Highlands it is a major component of commercial forestry plantations.

Extraction

The oil is extracted from the leaves which are obtained during felling or thinning operations.

Chemical Composition

A typical profile of the major compounds in a Highland oil will be:
- beta phellandrene 52.41% Includes a trace of limonene
- beta pinene 11.82%
- alpha pinene 11.79
- beta myrcene 7.38%
- Delta carene 2.32%

Uses

The oil profile and aroma indicates that it has potential in the cosmetic and toiletries and household products sectors

In US it has been used as a component in aftershave

Blending

There appears to be little or no information on the blending properties of the oil with other essential oils

Revised 20th January 2005.