Scotch Pine

Scientific Name: Pinus sylvestris
Family Name: Pinaceae




Leaves: Evergreen needles, slightly flattened, two in a bundle, each growing 1.5 – 2.75 in. (4 – 7 cm.), green with a blue tinge.

Tree: Scotch Pine is a large tree, growing 70 ft. (21m.) tall, and with a diameter of 2 ft. (.6 m.) with reddish brown shredding bark that becomes orange towards the top of the tree.




Fruit: Oval cones 1.25 – 2.5 in. (3 – 6 cm.) with thin scales that come to a thin point. The cones fall quickly from the trees.

Identifying Characteristics: Scotch Pine is the only tree whose bark becomes orange towards the tree's crown.

Location: We found Scotch Pine growing on the Brandeis University campus on the hill behind the President's garden opposite the entrance to campus.

History and Comments: Scotch Pine is a native of the Scottish Highlands, and Scottish colonial settlers introduced it to America. It is widely distributed throughout the world, especially in Europe. Scotch Pine is often used in the United States as an ornamental tree or for Christmas wreaths.
    Unless otherwise specified, all text, photographs, and drawings are Copyright (c) by Shu-Yee Chen and Deborah Hamer 2003. No part of this page may be reproduced without prior written consent of the authors.