Nugget Falls Trail - Sitka Spruce Largest native conifer in Alaska. Forms over 20% of native forest in SE Alaska. .Sitka spruce is valued for its wood, which is light, soft, and relatively strong and flexible. It is used for general construction, ship building and plywood. The wood has excellent acoustic properties and is used to make sounding boards in pianos and other musical instruments such as violins and guitars.. While in Skagway I had beer made with Sitka spruce tips which was quite good.