Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)

Botanical name

Pinus sylvestris

Other names

Scots pine, Scotch pine, Scots fir, Norway fir, Baltic redwood, Yellow deal, European turpentine, Bish apples, Archangel redwood, Scotch fir

Genus

Pinus Pinus

Species

P. sylvestris - P. sylvestris is an evergreen coniferous tree growing very large with a long, bare and straight trunk topped by a rounded or flat-topped mass of glaucous blue-green foliage turning dark yellow-green in winter.

Foliage

Evergreen

Tree shape

Broadly columnar, Irregular

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Adelgids , Aphids , Pine shoot moth , Sawflies

Specific diseases

Pine needle cast

General care

Propagation methods

Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Coastal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Foliage only, Hedging/Screens, Wildlife, Woodland

Cultivation

Grow in free-draining soil in any sunny aspect.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)

Common pest name

Red turpentine beetle

Scientific pest name

Dendroctonus valens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Bark beetle native to the Americas but causing serious damage to pine trees following its introduction to China. Existing regulations provide protection against risk of introduction; although residual pine bark sometimes remains on packaging material and manufactured products. Research on fungal species will help better assess the susceptibility of UK pine species and to prepare a PRA. Targeted surveillance to be carried out at points of entry.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Ips subelongatus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Pest of conifers with EU regulation helping to mitigate against the entry on conifer wood from non-European sources. Also present in European Russia with a similar range to Ips typographus; for which the UK has a protected zone with requirements on conifer wood.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)

Common pest name

Dothistroma needle blight; Red band needle blight

Scientific pest name

Dothistroma septosporum

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Fungal pest of pine; already present in UK of particular concern in Scotland

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/