Its range occurs across the north of Europe below the southern line of Tundra. Remnants of the old forest exist in the Highlands of Scotland, where majestic trees of great age stand singly or in groups. Pines are often referred to by the groupings of their needles on the twig. The Scots Pine has needles in pairs. Many species of pine have needles in groups of five, particulary in North America.
Some pines have needles in groups of three.
The timber from pines is highly valued, although in this country the market nowadays is more for smaller sizes than perhaps might have been sought in the past.