Scotch Fir Pinus sylvestris

The Scotch pine is a fast-growing, medium-sized evergreen conifer that usually grows to 30 to 60 feet in height and 30 to 40 feet in width. It has a conical to columnar habit and then develops an open rounded irregular crown as it ages. The bark is a distinguishing feature and is flaking, cinnamon, or orangish-reddish brown color in the upper part of the tree and reddish brown near the base. The needles are short, twisted, and bluish-green, and appear in bundles of two. The cones are gray to light brown and are about 3 inches long and point toward the stem.

This tree is native to northern Europe and northern Asia. It is said to be the only pine species that is native to Great Britain. It has become widely naturalized in the United States, particularly in the northeast and north-central areas.  Reportedly, the trees in Europe are tall and straight and the wood is of good quality. In the United States, however, the wood is rarely straight and is of poorer quality. This is believed to have occurred because of the poor seeds that were obtained by the early settlers. 

The genus name, Pinus, is Latin for pine. The epithet, sylvestris, means from the woods and forests.

The best growing conditions include full sun and well-drained, acidic soil. It will tolerate a variety of soil types including poor soils and dry sites.  It does prefer cooler summer weather and is intolerant to the heat and humidity of the southern parts of the United States. It is tolerant of urban conditions and is easily transplanted.

The Scotch pine is commonly used as a specimen tree in the home landscape or parks. It is frequently used as a Christmas tree because of its form and the retention of its needles. Birds and small mammals enjoy this tree as a habitat and as a source of food.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Year-round       Foliage:  Year-round      Fruits:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• bark and stems are orangish-brown or cinnamon-colored on the upper branches and reddish-brown at the base
• blue-green needles twisted, stiff, short, and bundles of two
• cones in groups of 2 to 4 and point toward the stem

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Scotch pine is susceptible to Sphaeropsis (Diplodia) tip blight. Possible insect pests include pine wilt nematode, sawflies, moths, and scale.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University