Pinus sylvestris

$43.80 USD

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Size 2 Gallon

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Pinus sylvestris, commonly known as Scots Pine, is a hardy and adaptable evergreen conifer prized for its rugged beauty, orange-copper flaking bark, and graceful, upright form. Native to Europe and Asia, it is one of the most widespread pine species globally and is valued in both ornamental and reforestation contexts.

This conifer features long, blue-green needles in pairs, which twist slightly and create a soft, airy texture. As it matures, Scots Pine develops a distinctive open, irregular crown, often with a picturesque, windswept character, making it an excellent choice for naturalistic or woodland-style plantings. Its bark is especially notable—mature trees reveal scaly, reddish-orange bark on the upper trunk, adding winter interest and contrast.

In landscapes, Scots Pine is used for large properties, natural screens, specimen trees, or grouped in conifer groves. It also plays a role in wildlife gardens, offering nesting habitat and food (seeds) for birds and small mammals. Whether planted for shade, structure, or ecological value, Pinus sylvestris is a timeless, tough, and visually striking evergreen tree with year-round presence.

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Growing Zone	Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Know Your Zone
Pet friendly	Yes
Mature height	30 to 60 ft.
Sunlight	Bright light
Type of Soil	Slightly acidic to neutral
Maintenance level	Low maintenance
Water Requirement	Low watering (once every 2 weeks)

Additional Information

Growth Rate	– Moderate – Typically grows 12–24 inches per year when young – Matures at 30–60 feet tall and 20–40 feet wide, but can reach over 80 feet in ideal conditions
Colorful leaves	Yes
Flowering	No
Disease resistant	No
Cold Tolerant	Yes
Heat Tolerant	Yes
Drought Tolerant	Yes
Deer Resistant	Yes
Edible	No
Wildlife Attraction	– Provides cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals – Mature cones may attract squirrels and seed-eating birds – Important habitat tree in naturalized and native plantings
Self-pollinating	Self-pollinating
Seasonality	– Evergreen year-round – Offers strong winter interest with rugged form and persistent foliage – Develops attractive orange to reddish flaky bark on the upper trunk with age
Ideal For	– Windbreaks – reforestation – large-scale landscaping – wildlife habitat – naturalized plantings – specimen tree for cold climates
Leaf Description	– Evergreen needles, blue-green to green in color – Arranged in bundles of two, about 1.5–3 inches long – Slightly twisted with a stiff texture – Needles may fade or yellow slightly in winter (normal seasonal response)
Flower Description	– Inconspicuous yellow pollen cones and small reddish female cones in spring – Not ornamental – Flowering occurs around mid to late spring, depending on climate
Planting Instructions	– Site selection: Best planted in an open, sunny site with ample space – Soil requirements: Adaptable to a wide range of soils – prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, but tolerates poor, rocky, and dry conditions – pH: Tolerates acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline soils – Planting depth: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery container or root ball; do not bury the crown – Spacing: Space 15–25 feet apart for windbreaks or forest plantings – Mulch: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk – Best time to plant: Early spring or fall
Pruning & Maintenance	– Minimal pruning needed unless shaping or removing dead branches – Best time: Late winter or very early spring – Avoid summer pruning, as it may invite pests or stress the tree
Water Needs	– Low once established – Requires regular watering during the first 1–2 years to establish deep roots – Very drought-tolerant after establishment; prefers dry to moderately moist soil – Avoid wet or poorly drained locations
Light Needs	– Requires full sun – at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily – Shade intolerant; growth and form decline in partial shade
Harvesting	– Wood is harvested commercially (in forestry settings) for lumber, pulp, and Christmas trees – In gardens, not typically harvested – Foliage or cones can be used for natural décor
Fertilizing	– Generally not needed in natural or nutrient-poor soils – If necessary, apply a low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer in early spring – Avoid over-fertilizing, especially in dry or sandy soils
Pollination	– Monoecious – produces male and female cones on the same tree – Wind-pollinated in spring – Male cones release large amounts of yellow pollen
Companion Plants	– Juniperus communis – native pairing, drought-tolerant – Quercus rubra (Red Oak) – in mixed forest or windbreak plantings – Amelanchier alnifolia – for multi-season interest beneath canopy – Vaccinium vitis-idaea or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – native, acid-loving groundcovers – Grasses like Festuca glauca – complement naturalistic or xeric designs

Seasonality and Flowering
Planting Instructions

– Evergreen year-round

– Offers strong winter interest with rugged form and persistent foliage

– Develops attractive orange to reddish flaky bark on the upper trunk with age

– Inconspicuous yellow pollen cones and small reddish female cones in spring

– Not ornamental

– Flowering occurs around mid to late spring, depending on climate

– Site selection: Best planted in an open, sunny site with ample space

– Soil requirements: Adaptable to a wide range of soils – prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, but tolerates poor, rocky, and dry conditions

– pH: Tolerates acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline soils

– Planting depth: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery container or root ball; do not bury the crown

– Spacing: Space 15–25 feet apart for windbreaks or forest plantings

– Mulch: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk

– Best time to plant: Early spring or fall

Pinus sylvestris

Pinus sylvestris

Growing Zone

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Additional Information