Species Scotch pine
Long, cylindrical, scaly textured green cone having gray-brown scars

Scotch pine

Pinus sylvestris

Scotch pine, also known as Pinus sylvestris, is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree native to northern Europe, particularly Scotland. Scotch pines grow up to 65 feet tall with a slender pyramidal shape and long, pointed needles that are dark green on the upper side and white on the lower side. Its bark is dark gray, with small resin blisters. This tree is highly cold-hardy and tolerates poor soils and drought. It prefers full sunlight and produces an abundance of orange-red cones which are edible. Scotch pines are popular in landscapes and can live up to 300 years.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Scotch pines should be watered when their soil is dry to the touch. Generally speaking, these plants require about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2-to-3 watering sessions. When watering, slowly add water around the base of the plant until the soil is saturated. Allow the soil to drain well, and avoid overwatering. During warmer summer months, Scotch pines may require more frequent watering due to their shallow roots and need for good drainage. Furthermore, young plants should be watered more frequently than mature specimens.

sunlight

Sunlight is an essential component in the growth and development of the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), helping the tree to maintain its growth and its hardiness. This pine tree needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day during the growing season, and while it does tolerate dappled or partial shade, it will not tolerate full shade and will be more susceptible to disease and pests in shady spots. During the summer, when the days are the longest, the tree is able to receive the maximum amount of sunlight it needs. For optimal growth, a location that is exposed to the sun between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm is ideal. However, during the winter, the hours of direct sunlight for this species decreases significantly. In order for the Scotch pine to remain healthy during this time, the tree needs to receive at least 4 hours of sunlight every day, in order to make the most of the limited available exposure.

pruning

Pruning of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) should be done yearly, preferably during the colder months (late winter/early spring) when the tree is dormant. Pruning should be done to maintain the correct size of the Scotch pine tree, as well as to help keep its traditional pyramidal shape. If no previous pruning has been done, remove up to 1-third of the existing growth. The pruned branches should be cut off about an inch outside of the branch collar (the raised portion at the base of the branch), leaving the collar area intact. Doing so helps to ensure that the pruned area will heal in the fastest possible time.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Pinus sylvestris typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map