Scots Pine

Pinus sylvestris (Pinaceae) is a two-needled pine native across Eurasia from Scotland to eastern Siberia. It grows to about 80 feet tall with a distinctive orange-brown bark on the upper trunk and branches that contrasts with the darker, fissured bark below. The crown becomes irregular and flat-topped with age.

Scots pine is one of the most widely planted pines worldwide, used for timber, Christmas trees, and ornamental purposes. It grows in full sun on well-drained soils and tolerates poor, sandy substrates and moderate drought. In North America it has naturalized in some areas. Diplodia tip blight and pine wilt nematode can be problems. Hardy in Zones 3a to 8b.