Scotch Pine
'Pinus Sylvestris'
A medium to large tree, typically pyramidal when young, becoming more rounded and open with age.
Orange-brown peeling bark. Bark is relished by porcupines, which can cause extensive damage.
The largest tree in North Dakota is 46 feet tall with a canopy spread of 34½ feet.
Information
Height & Growth
Growth Habit – Pyramidal when young, branches thin and
form becomes flat to round-topped with age.
Texture – Medium-coarse, summer and winter.
Crown Height – 25 to 50 feet.
Crown Width – 20 to 35 feet.
Bark Color – Flaky, peeling, orange-brown in upper two-thirds of mature tree. Thick, grayish or reddish, fissured at
the base of the tree.
Root System – Shallow rooted, but forms a tap root on dry
sites.
Soils
Soil Texture – Prefers moist, well-drained soils, but will
tolerate drier sites.
Soil pH – 5.0 to 7.5.
Windbreak Suitability Group – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6D, 6G
Cold Hardiness
USDA Zone 3
Water & Light
Water
Does not tolerate flooding. Not very drought resistant, but
requires a well-drained site
Light
Full sun
Leaves & Buds
Bud Arrangement – Buds are in whorls.
Bud Color – Brown and resin coated.
Bud Size – Oblong-ovate, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, and
pointed.
Leaf Type and Shape – Two needles per fascicle, usually
twisted.
Leaf Margins – Edges are minutely toothed.
Leaf Surface – Semi-rough.
Leaf Length – Needles 1½ to 3½ inches long, and persist for
3 years.
Leaf Width – Narrow needles.
Leaf Color – Medium green
Flowers & Fruits
Flower Type – Monoecious, separate male and female
strobili that develop into cones.
Flower Color – Female strobili are purple; male strobili
are reddish-tan.
Fruit Type – Cone with diamond-shaped scales, 1½ to 2½
inches long, two winged seeds per cone scale.
Fruit Color – Dull gray-brown cones, brownish-gray seeds.
Best Uses
Conservation/Windbreaks
Medium to tall evergreen for farmstead or field
windbreaks.
Wildlife
Provides nesting sites and winter cover.
Agroforestry Products
Wood – Not used for dimension lumber. Extensively
planted for Christmas trees.
Food – Pinus species are a source of pyrone, a sugar
substitute.
Medicinal – Pinus species are used to treat bronchitis, skin
diseases, wounds, and as a source of pinosylvinean, an
antibiotic.
Urban/Recreational
Ornamental landscape tree for homes and public grounds.
Orange, peeling bark provides visual accents.
Pests & Disease
Common diseases include Cyclaneusma needle cast.
Western gall rust and Lophodermium needle cast are
locally common. Common insect pests include tip moth,
sawfly, pine needle scale, and giant conifer aphid.