Spruce Pine has a lower density than most other species in the Southern Yellow Pine grouping, hence its distribution is more generally restricted to local lumber needs and plywood production. The wood is sometimes sold as Southern Yellow Pine for a moderate price

Spruce is useful as a building wood, commonly referred to by several different names including North American timber, SPF (spruce, pine, fir) and whitewood (the collective name for spruce wood).

Spruce wood is used for many purposes, ranging from general construction work and crates to highly specialised uses in wooden aircraft. The Wright brothers' first aircraft, the Flyer, was built of spruce. Spruce wood, when left outside cannot be expected to last more than 12–18 months depending on the type of climate it is exposed to.