Pine, Scotch or Scots
Pinus sylvestris
Pinaceae - Pine

Description

Leaves: Needles in groups of 2; about 1-1/2" to 3" long; blue-green, may turn yellow-green in winter; often twisted; evergreen, remain on tree 3 years.

Twigs/buds: Twigs medium-thick; dull gray-yellow; roughened by scales at base of leaf clusters. Buds 1/4" to 1/2" long; pointed; with fringed scales; red-brown; resinous.

Flowers/fruit: Monoecious. Fruit a woody cone; 1-1/2" to 2" long; reddish-brown; scales with raised pyramid-shaped tips.

Bark: Distinctively orange colored on upper limbs and trunk.

Wood: Little used in the U.S. wood products industry; little information available.

General: Native throughout Europe, but widely planted in Utah. A very desirable species, preferred for Christmas tree production. Shade intolerant.

Landscape Use: Widely planted in landscapes throughout Utah and the West. I have seen many old, stately trees in Logan, Utah. Needle and upper bark color are very nice. Fairly disease- and insect-free, though it shows some chlorosis (needle yellowing) when planted on our highest pH (most alkaline) soils and when overwatered. Zones 2-8.

Cultivars: 'Aurea', 'Beuvronensis', 'Fastigiata', 'Watereri'.

Characteristics

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