Botanical Name: Pinus sylvestris
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Common Name: Scotch Pine  
Plant photo of: Pinus sylvestris
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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

 

Height Range

25-40', 40-60'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Green, Blue Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey, Red

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter

 

Location Uses

Background, Park, Roadside

 

Special Uses

Screen, Mass Planting, Wind Break

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom

  • Description

  • Notes

Scotch pine is a medium-large pine growing 30 to 50 feet tall and nearly as wide. It has an upright, pyramidal habit in its youth, becoming broad and flat-topped as it ages. Branches are strongly horizontal. Older bark has a distinctive orange color (look towards the top of the tree to catch a glimpse). Blue-green needles are stiff, vary in length, and twist 360 degrees. Cones are 1 to 3 inches in length. A number of cultivars are avaialble, including dwarf and prostrate forms.
Grow in full sun and well-drained soil; though it prefers laomy, acidic soil it is tolerant of poorer, drier soils. Strong wind resistance.