Spiral grain angle in Norway spruce (Piceaabies) trees and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) seedlingswas investigated in relation to growth rate, endogenousand applied ethylene. Trees from stands of Norwayspruce, which were irrigated and fertilised in order to enhancegrowth, and trees having different growth rates innon-treated stands were studied. Stem growth rate at thestand level (m3 ha–1 year–1) was measured annually, orby means of microscopy on stem sections as the numberand size of tracheids produced. Enhanced growth increasedethylene evolution and maintained a high levelof left-handed spiral grain angle in comparison to slower-growing trees. An increased number of earlywoodtracheids in fast growing trees was correlated to a moreleft-handed spiral grain angle. Ethrel, applied to stems ofbalsam fir seedlings, increased the internal ethylene levelsin parallel with increased left-handed spiral grain angle.The results indicate that ethylene regulates the extentof spiral grain angle.