Scotch pine

Scotch pine (Pínus sylvéstris) — a species of pine widespread in Europe and Asia. In Russia, it is massively found in the northwestern part, Siberia and the Amur region, where it forms mono plantations, and also adjoins spruce, birch, aspen, and oak. Due to the wide area of the plant, environmentalists distinguish up to 30 ecotypes of Scots pine, depending on the area of growth.

Dignity of the variety: unpretentiousness, frost resistance, versatility.

Tree tall, up to 40-50 m. Trunk – straight, with a diameter of 0.5-1.2 meters. Crown – cone-shaped, with age changes shape to a wide, umbrella. Branches – gray-brown, arranged horizontally. The bark at the bottom of the trunk – gray-brown thick with deep cracks. In the upper part and on the branches - orange-red, thin with scales. Kidneys – cone-shaped, orange-brown, covered with white resin.

Needles bluish green, fluffy. The needles are slightly curved with finely serrated edges and bluish-white stomatal lines. Length 4-6 cm, thickness – 1.5-2 mm.

Cones. Men's – 0.8-1.2 cm, yellow or pink. Women's – 3-6 cm long, conical, symmetrical. On the branches grow singly or in bunches of 2-3 pieces. Color – light gray-brown or gray-green. Ripe in November — December, open in February – April. Seeds – black, 4-5 mm, with membranous wing.

Purpose. Scotch pine is loved by landscape designers and landscapers. With its help, they strengthen the soil during erosion, put in order the slopes of ravines and sandstones. They plant greenery on the territories of medical and rehabilitation institutions, where the ethers released into the air have a beneficial effect on the health of patients.

Scotch pine wood is used in construction, joinery and carpentry. Veneer, plywood, raw materials for the chemical industry are made from it. Gum is extracted from the resin passages, on the basis of which turpentine and rosin are obtained. Pine buds are used as a medicinal raw material, as a disinfectant, antitussive, diuretic, added to bath collections. Pine oil is obtained from needles, young shoots and cones, which is part of: anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic drugs, medicines for kidney stones, air fresheners.

Growing conditions. Scotch pine is an extremely unpretentious conifer. It is undemanding to the composition and fertility of soils, grows even in swampy and sandy areas, and is frost-resistant. The tree will be used in silvicultural practice in all climatic zones. Quickly resumes after logging and forest fires.

Beware of fakes and infected planting material, purchase Scotch pine seedlings in specialized nurseries.