Maine Tree Species Fact Sheet

Common Name: Scotch Pine (Scots Pine)
Botanical Name: Pinus sylvestris
Tree Type: Conifer

Physical Description:

Growth Habit: Scotch pine is a medium growing tree, which grows on very poor, sandy and dry soils.  It is the most widely distributed pine in the world.  The bark on the upper portion of the stems is orangish to orangish-brown, thin, smooth, and peeling off in papery flakes.  Towards the base, the bark is thick, grayish or reddish-brown and fissured into irregular, longitudinal and scaly plates.  The bluish-green leaves change to yellowish-green in the winter.  The needles are short, stiff, twisted, 1 ½ to 3 inches long and borne in fascicles of 2. 

Height:  The Scotch pine generally reaches a height of 30 – 60 feet.  This species is hardy to Zone 3.

Shape:  Scotch pine is shaped like an irregular pyramid with short and spreading branches, the lower ones quickly dying.  In maturity, the habit becomes open, wide spreading and flat or round-topped, almost umbrella shaped.

Fruit/Seed Description/Dispersal Methods:

Although Scotch pine is primarily a monoecious species, some shoots, branches and entire trees are predominantly of one sex.  Male flowers are formed in the late summer at the base of the bud that will make the next year’s growth.  About two weeks after growth begins in the spring, the male catkins enlarge and shed pollen.  At this time they are yellow.  Female flowers are also formed in the late summer but are microscopic.  They are borne at the tips of the buds for the next year’s growth.  They first become visible after the buds expand in the spring.  The numerous cones are solitary or up to 3 together.  They are short-stalked, ovoid-conic in shape, 1 ½ to 3 inches long, and gray or dull brown in color.  The cones begin to open in October, and seed dispersal continues into December.

Range within Maine:

Scotch pine is an introduced species to Maine and can be found throughout the state.

Distinguishing Features:

Scotch pine’s blue-green, twisted flat needles are in clusters of two’s.  Its tapering cone is 1 ½ - 3 inches long with greenish scales and the bark on the upper stems and branches is orange-brown in color.

Interesting Features:

Scotch pine is used for pulpwood, framing lumber, ties and Christmas trees.

Relationship to Wildlife:

Porcupines girdle young trees, causing dead tops.  Pine grosbeaks feed on the terminal and lateral buds, causing numerous small crooks.

Landscape Use:

Scotch pine is not recommended for home landscapes.

Common Problems or Pests of the Tree in Maine:

The European pine sawfly, white pine weevil, pine spittlebug, western gall rust, Diplodia, nematodes and pine wilt fungus all affect Scotch pine.

References:

Forest Trees of Maine, Twelfth Edition.  Maine Forest Service/Department of Conservation. 1995.

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 5^th Edition.  Dirr, Michael A.  Publishing L.L.C. 1998.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees.  More, David and John White.  Timber Press. 2002.

United States Dept. of Agriculture: Silvics of North America:

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_1/pinus/sylvestris.htm

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