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Home > Pine > Scots Pine

Scots Pine

Scots pines are one of the most extensively distributed conifers in the world, found in large parts of Eurasia. They grow from sea level to a height of 2400 m, the elevation increasing from north to south of its native range.

Scots Pine

Scots Pine

Scientific Classification

KingdomPlantae
DivisionPinophyta
ClassPinopsida
OrderPinales
FamilyPinaceae
GenusPinus
SubgenusPinus
Scientific NamePinus sylvestris
Scottish Pine

Scottish Pine

Scots Pine Tree

Scots Pine Tree

Quick Information

Other NamesRiga Pine, Mongolian pine, Scotch pine
SizeHeight: 35 m

Trunk Diameter: 1m Tallest recorded specimen measures 46.6 m

Identification

Leaves (Needles): Glaucous blue-green on mature trees, dark green to dark yellow-green in winter, 2.5–5 cm long and 1-2 mm broad, occur in bundles with a gray basal sheath

Seed Cones: Red during pollination, turning gray-green to yellow-brown at maturity, 3-7.5 cm long

Pollen Cones: Yellow, sometimes pink, 8–12 mm long; pollens are released during middle-late spring

Bark: Thick, scaly, dark gray-brown on the lower trunk while on the upper trunk it is thin, flaky and orange

Tree TypeEvergreen
Shape at MaturityOval, pyramidal
Distribution/RangeWestern and Northern Europe, eastern Siberia, Anatolia
Hardiness Zones3–7
Growth RateSlow to medium, yearly increase being 12 to 24 in
LifespanGenerally 150 to 300 years; oldest recorded specimen is more than 760 years
Growing ConditionsSoil Requirement: Acidic, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained and dry soilsLight Requirement: Direct sunlight

Temperature: Tolerates high temperatures

Water Requirement: Tolerant to drought

DiseasesHost to pine wilt caused by the pinewood nematode, vulnerable to fungal diseases like  Lophodermium and Diplodia Tip Blight
FloweringMay-June
Dispersal of SeedsSeeds are mainly dispersed by wind
Seedling Development Adequate moisture and some shade helps in seedlings establishment; seedlings grow very fast in their early years
Wildlife valueInsects and lichens thrive in and around the cracks of the trunk; branches are good nesting sites for birds like golden eagle, goshawk, osprey; cones and seeds are a favorite for red squirrels
UsesGood source of timber, construction lumber, pulpwood; extensively used as Christmas trees; popular as a bonsai
IUCN Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Scots Pine Pictures

Scots Pine Pictures

Scotch Pine Leaf

Scotch Pine Leaf

Pinus Sylvestris

Pinus Sylvestris

Scots Pine Christmas Tree

Scots Pine Christmas Tree

Interesting Facts

  • Scots pine is Scotland’s national tree.
  • The species was one of the first trees to colonize Ireland after the melting of ice sheets of the last glaciations around 12000 years ago. The tree, in spite of being initially abundant, disappeared from the country until the 17th century when it was reintroduced from Scotland through planting.
Scots Pine Needles

Scots Pine Needles

Scots Pine Cone

Scots Pine Cone

Scots Pine Bonsai

Scots Pine Bonsai

Scots Pine Bark

Scots Pine Bark

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_pine
  2. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=902
  3. https://www.waldwissen.net/en/forest-ecology/forest-plants/conifers/the-scots-pine
  4. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/pine-diseases/
  5. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/mar/070901.htm

Published on November 16th 2016 by Sajal Datta under Pine.
Article was last reviewed on 9th May 2023.

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