Pinus sylvestris

Norway and Scotland to Spain, w. Asia, and n.e. Siberia

In youth an irregular pyramid with short, spreading branches, the lower soon dying, becoming in age very picturesque, open, wide-spreading and flat- or round-topped, almost umbrella-shaped.

Prefers well drained, acidic soils but will grow in most soils

Two needle pine with an irregular pyramidal growth habit, often with spreading branches, the lower soon dying. Very picturesque in old age. Average height is 30-60 feet tall. Upper portion of the trunk has orange bark that is thin and smooth, peeling off in papery flakes. The lower portion of the trunk is thicker, gray or reddish brown, fissured into irregular, longitudinal, scaly plates. Needles persist for 2-4 years are variable in length, twisted, stiff, 1-3" long, short pointed, margins minutely toothed and blue green in color. Cones are mostly solitary or 2 or 3 together, short-stalked, ovoid-conic, 1 1/2-3" long, gray or dull brown. Cones fall at maturity. Scotch pine is mostly valued for its picturesque character. It is a very popular Christmas tree.

bluish green foliage

Buds are oblong-ovate, .25 to .5 inches long, pointed, with lanceolate, fringed scales, the upper ones free at the tips, brown, resinous, reddish brown.

On the upper portion of the stems organgish or orangish brown, thin, smooth, peeling off in papery flakes, thick towards the base, grayish or reddish brown, fissured into irregular, longitudinal, scaly plates.

Monoecious.

Cones mostly solitary, 2 to 3(6) together, short-stalked, oviod-conic, 1.5 to 3 inches long, gray or dull brown, falling at maturity, umbo small, obtuse.

Seeds have no dormancy and will germinate with no stratification