Ohio Trees - Scotch Pine

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Scotch Pine, an evergreen conifer, is native to northern Europe and northern Asia, from Scotland to Siberia. It has been widely planted and naturalized throughout northeastern and midwestern North America for centuries. It is commonly found in Ohio, where it is grown in urban areas as an ornamental evergreen tree, in rural areas of poor soil as a tree for erosion control or for primary establishment, or on Christmas tree plantations. It is logged at maturity in Europe as an important timber tree, and cut in youth in America as one of the most popular Christmas trees.

Also known as Scots Pine in reference to Scotland of Great Britain, this pine has a crooked or twisted trunk that may split into several widely divergent branches at maturity, thus forming a picturesque crown of gnarled branches. Frequently leaning with age, it may grow to 50 feet tall by 30 feet wide when found in the open, with a medium growth rate in youth and slow growth rate with age. Its shape is more or less upright pyramidal when young, but quickly becomes irregular and contorted, as if twisted by the wind. As a member of the Pine Family, it is related to other Pines as well as the Firs, Larches, Spruces, and Hemlocks.

Planting Requirements - Scotch Pine does best in well-drained soils of acidic pH, but is known for its tolerance of poor soils that may be sandy, rocky, or of heavy clay, and of acidic, neutral, or alkaline pH. It thrives on neglect in full sun, and tolerates prolonged drought. It grows in zones 3 to 7.

Potential Problems - Scotch Pine is less susceptible than Austrian Pine to Diplodia tip blight, but still contracts this disease with fatal results. In addition, it also is vulnerable to pine wilt fungus and the pests known as nematodes. However, this pine is very tough in its adaptation to environmental stresses, including heat, drought, severe cold, and sterile soils.
Leaf Identification Features

The relatively short needles of Scotch Pine range from bluish-green to medium green to yellow-green, and occur in bundles of two. The most distinguishing trait of these needles is their twisted shape and bluish color, although the twin greenish needles of Virginia Pine have a similar appearance. Needles generally remain on the twigs from two to four years.


Other Identification Features


The pollen-bearing staminate (male) yellow flowers of Scotch Pine emerge with the new shoots (candles) in mid-spring, and fertilize the nearby immature pink-red pistillate (female) flowers. This makes Scotch Pine a monoecious species, like all Pines and most evergreens.


The small cones that mature in their second year do not have prickles on the backside of their scales, as many pine cones do.


The orange, flaky bark of the upper trunk and large branches of Scotch Pine is its most recognizable feature from a distance, on mature trees.


However, the lower trunk has bark that is strikingly different, composed of gray or reddish-brown fissures and plates.

Contact Information

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road, Building D
Columbus OH 43229-6693

Phone: 614-265-6879