Pinus sylvestris | Scots Pine

The Pinus sylvestris is the only Pine tree native to the UK. This is a popular, evergreen conifer. A hardy tree that will thrive in difficult and extreme conditions. Records show the oldest Scots Pine lived to 700 years. This tree is often planted as a stand-alone specimen, or in groups. As the Pinus sylvestris matures it will often shred lower branches and develop a rounded or flat-topped mass of foliage on a very tall clear trunk, making it a distinctive tree against the landscape. Lower branches will remain if there is plenty of space around the tree to grow. There are many uses for the Scots Pine; the timber is one of the strongest softwoods available, used in construction, joinery, fencing and in many other areas. The inner bark is used in rope making, the roots are used to make tar, and the tree can be tapped for resin to make turpentine. The Scots Pine is widely planted in the Scottish highlands.

Mature Height

10-25m

Tree Features

The top half of the trunk has a reddish-brown bark, the lower half is grey-brown, developing plates and fissures as it matures.

Needle-like leaves grow in pairs. Short side-shoots are blue-green and slightly twisted.

Grey-brown cones develop from the female flowers over two years, so there are always cones on the tree.

Growing Conditions

Will grow in most well-drained soil and tolerate poor and exposed sites, although not suitable for coastal areas.

Season of Interest

Winter - Evergreen tree will stand out in the landscape.

Tree Type

Standard, Feathered, Bush, Multistem, Specimen, Bonsai

Growing Locations

Parklands, Large Gardens, Woodlands, Windbreaks, Shelterbelts, Plantations

Evergreen / Deciduous?

Evergreen
Did you know?

The Pinus sylvestris was voted the National Tree of Scotland in 2014. The needles on the young trees grow longer than needles on older trees. Resin from the Pinus sylvestris can be used to treat insect bits, burns and blisters.