+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## Scots pine {#scots-pine .Title-Header}                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Pinus sylvestris* L.                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = PISY                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Scotch Pine (Pinus
sylvestris)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1251968503937007in"
height="2.1145669291338582in"}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Windbreaks*: Plant Scots pine in the central or leeward rows of
multi-row plantings. It is also recommended for planting as single-row
windbreaks.

*Wildlife*: Scots pine is of some importance as food and cover for many
birds and small mammals. Although the plant is browsed by whitetail and
mule deer, it is not a preferred forage.

*Timber/Christmas tree plantations*: Scots pine is suitable for
ornamental and screen plantings. Its year long coloration adds variety
to recreation plantings.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Scots pine is an evergreen, spreading tree 80 to 100 feet, pyramidal
when young, becoming round topped and irregular in age. The tree is
introduced from Eurasia, and has become naturalized in eastern North
America. It is cultivated for windbreaks, timber, and Christmas tree
plantations. It does best on rich, moist soils, but its winter hardiness
and moderate drought tolerance enable it to do well on other soils. It
is moderately slow growing, but is long lived.

##### Description {#description-1 .Header-3}

Fruits are tawny-yellow, oblong, symmetrical cones, 1 to 2 inches long.
Clusters of flowers are yellow, minute, male and female. Needles occur
in bunches of 2, are stout and usually twisted, 1 to 3 inches long, and
bluish-green in color. Scots pine branches are spreading, and stems are
often crooked in early years. The plant's bark is orange, thin and
smooth on upper trunk, dark and fissured below. The tree's root system
is widespread, moderately deep, and wind-firm.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Scots pine is distributed throughout the Northeast and upper Midwest.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Plantings should be established during the spring of the year on weed
free sites. Stand establishment can be enhanced by using 2 year old
field-grown stock. Holes or furrows should be deep enough to contain
roots without bending.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Weed control is recommended in areas where the tree is grown for shade
or Christmas tree plantings. It is also good to shape the tree for the
form that you would like to have at time of harvest.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

There are several wood boring, root feeding, foliage feeding, and twig
boring insects that attack this tree. The most common pest are
cyclaneusma needle cast, western gall rust, Lophodermium needle cast,
tip moth, sawflies, pine needle scales and giant conifer aphid.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Scots pine has several intergrading cultivars, differing chiefly in leaf
color and growth form. Most have ready use as Christmas trees, although
leaves of some cultivars turn yellow-green in winter. Seedlings are
available at most commercial conifer nurseries. Seed origin is extremely
important in obtaining quality trees for a given sub-region. Consult the
state extension forester for information from provenance testing to
determine the best seed source for your planting.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060809 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060809-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*