Pine — Scots

Pinus sylvestris

Iconic conifer of the European and Asian temperate north, with characteristic orange-red upper bark. Needle and resin essential oils have respiratory and antimicrobial uses.

Hardiness ratings

Pine — Scots hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–7 −45.6 °C to −12.2 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–7 −40 °C to −7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–3 −15 °C to 0 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

About Pine — Scots

Scots pine is the most widely distributed pine in the world, ranging from western Europe across northern Asia, and it is the only pine native to Britain. Mature trees are easily recognised by the warm orange-red bark of the upper trunk, which contrasts with the darker fissured bark lower down. Needles are carried in pairs, a useful identification point. It grows on poor, thin and acidic soils where more demanding trees fail, and in Scotland the remaining fragments of native pinewood support a distinctive assemblage of wildlife.

Growing notes

  • Different species from Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) listed elsewhere in the database
  • Long-lived (300+ years) and ecologically important
  • Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before using any plant medicinally

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Pine — Scots against your zones

Reference

Pine — Scots on Wikipedia