I've read that in cold and humid climates, like where Tongass National Forest is in the coastal region of southeastern Alaska, sitka spruce grows natively but slowly.

This has caused the on-going crisis in the piano manufacturing industry, since old growth sitka spruce produces the highest quality tonewood.

Photo of my first personal encounter with Sitka Spruce (Rose Garden in Oregon).

Not as big as the one you posted beng but I was impressed.

eta: Sorry, mis-identified the tree shown below in this picture.

Most likely it's Douglas fir.

Unfathomably huge tree

It was some kind of spruce, I maybe just assumed because of its size.

I see now the bark isn't right for Sitka.

How about this one? ;-)

eta: not sure about the tree in the picture below. It might also be Pseudotsugamenziesii.

I never labeled the pictures so I'm just now looking at them.

Same Rose Garden.

Bill, the first pic of the big-trunked tree you posted might be the bark of a Douglas fir.

Yup, I think you're right beng.

I looked over all of my pictures from that trip last night and most likely, Doug fir is what I saw.

Sorry, my bad. I'll correct that one above.