Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a UK native, evergreen conifer that can live up to 700 years.
Useful info about Scots Pine trees
| Latin Name | Pinus sylvestris |
| Type | Evergreen |
| Height | Can grow up to 20+ metres (65+ feet) |
| Spread | The branches can spread out to 5 - 10 metres (18 - 35 feet) |
| Soil Types Preferred | Chalk, Clay, Limestone, Loam, Sand |
| Locations Suitable | Farmland, Gardens, Parks |
| Flowers | - |
| Fruit | Cones in late summer / autumn |
Similar Species
Description
The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a species of pine that is native to the UK and can be found across Europe and Asia.
Scots Pine usually grow up to 25 metres in height with a 1 metre trunk diameter when mature. Occasionally they to 35 - 45 metres tall.
The bark is thick, scaly dark grey-brown on the lower trunk, and thin, flaky and orange on the upper trunk and branches.
The lifespan is normally 150–300 years, with the oldest recorded specimens (in Sweden) just over 700 years.
The shoots are light brown, with a spirally arranged scale-like pattern. On mature trees the leaves ('needles') are a blue-green, often darker green to dark yellow-green in winter, 2.5 - 5 cm long..
The seed cones are red at pollination, then pale brown and 4 - 8 mm in diameter in their first year, expanding to full size in their second year. At Maturity the cones are green, then grey-green to yellow-brown and 3 - 7.5 cm in length.
The seeds inside the cones are released when the cones open in spring, 22 - 24 months after pollination.
The pollen cones are yellow, occasionally pink, 8–12 mm long; pollen release is in mid to late spring.
In the north of its range, it occurs from sea level to 1000 m, while in the south of its range, it is a high altitude mountain tree, growing at 1200-2600 m altitude. The Scots Pine is also the clan badge of the Clan Gregor, one of the most famous clans from Scotland.
The bark is thick, scaly dark grey-brown on the lower trunk, and thin, flaky and orange on the upper trunk and branches. The habit of the mature tree is distinctive due to its long, bare and straight trunk topped by a rounded or flat-topped mass of foliage.
The lifespan is normally 150–300 years, with the oldest recorded specimens (in Sweden) just over 700 years.
The shoots are light brown, with a spirally arranged scale-like pattern. On mature trees the leaves ('needles') are a glaucous blue-green, often darker green to dark yellow-green in winter, 2.5-5 cm long and 1-2 mm broad, produced in fascicles of two with a persistent grey 5–10 mm basal sheath.
On vigorous young trees the leaves can be twice as long, and occasionally occur in fascicles of three or four on the tips of strong shoots. Leaf persistence varies from two to four years in warmer climates, and up to nine years in subarctic regions. Seedlings up to one year old bear juvenile leaves; these are single (not in pairs), 2–3 cm long, flattened, with a serrated margin.
The seed cones are red at pollination, then pale brown, globose and 4-8 mm diameter in their first year, expanding to full size in their second year, pointed ovoid-conic, green, then grey-green to yellow-brown at maturity, 3-7.5 cm in length.
The cone scales have a flat to pyramidal apophysis, with a small prickle on the umbo. The seeds are blackish, 3–5 mm long with a pale brown 12–20 mm wing; they are released when the cones open in spring 22–24 months after pollination.
The pollen cones are yellow, occasionally pink, 8–12 mm long; pollen release is in mid to late spring.
Uses
Scots Pine is typically grown for its strong, softwood timber that's used in the construction industry. They're also used to make telegraph poles.
DISCLAIMER
Any uses for trees or tree extracts, whether edible or medicinal, have not been tried or tested by EFORESTS.
Please take caution and seek proper advice before attempting any recipes or medicinal extracts from any of the trees listed on our site.
Culture and Symbolism
Scots Pine trees are believed to represent survival, longevity, fertility and immortality.
It is believed that Druids used Scots Pine to make winter solstice fires in order to draw back the sun.
The resin and needles were burnt as incense to supposedly get rid of evil.
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