Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris, Sp. Pl.: 1000 (1753))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1000 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Russian Far East and Caucasus

Description

Scotch Pine: An Overview

The Scotch pine, scientifically known as Pinus sylvestris, boasts a rich history and a widespread presence, extending from the expansive forests of Europe to the remote wilderness of the Russian Far East and the rugged landscapes of the Caucasus. This evergreen conifer, belonging to the Pinaceae family, has been classified in botanical literature since 1753, as specified in “Species Plantarum” by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Habitat and Distribution

The Scotch pine is remarkably adaptable, thriving in a range of environments from the temperate regions of Western Europe to the harsher climates of northern and eastern territories. This adaptability has allowed it to become one of the most common and widely distributed pines in the world. In its natural habitat, the Scotch pine often forms mixed forests with other conifers and hardwood species, contributing significantly to the biodiversity and ecological stability of these regions.

Physical Characteristics

The Scotch pine is distinguished by its tall, straight trunk that can reach heights of up to 35 meters (115 feet) in optimal conditions. Its bark is characteristically thick and scaly at the base, transitioning to a distinctive orange-red coloring higher up the tree. The needles of the Scotch pine are slender and twisted, growing in pairs and typically measuring 4 to 7 centimeters in length. These needles not only provide essential photosynthetic functions but also grant the tree its unique and easily recognizable silhouette.

Ecological Importance

Ecologically, the Scotch pine plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems. Its deep root system helps prevent soil erosion, while its fallen needles contribute to the acidic quality of the forest floor, influencing the types of plant species that can grow in its vicinity. Furthermore, the Scotch pine serves as a habitat and food source for various wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Beyond its ecological contributions, the Scotch pine is of significant economic value. Its wood is highly prized for its strength and versatility, used extensively in construction, furniture making, and paper production. Culturally, the tree holds a place of esteem in European history and folklore, often associated with strength and longevity.

In summary, the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a tree of remarkable resilience and importance. Its wide distribution from Europe to the Russian Far East and the Caucasus, combined with its ecological, economic, and cultural significance, underscores its vital role in both natural and human contexts.

Common Names

Swe: (metsä)mänty, dansk körvel, hundkäx, taggkörvel, tall, vild persilja
Fin: (metsä)mänty, aitohukanputki, koiranputki, maustekirveli, piikkikirveli
Hun: az erdeifenyok, európai erdeifenyo
Nor: furu, hagekjørvel, hundekjeks, hundepersille, krokkjørvel
Deu: föhre, gemeine kiefer, wald-kiefer, wald-kiefer, föhre, waldföhre, waldkiefer
Nld: grove den
Dan: gærde-kørvel, have-kørvel, hundepersille, skov-fyr, vild kørvel
Ita: pino comune, pino di scozia, pino rosso, pino selvatico, pino silvestre
Tur: sariçam
Eng: scotch pine, scots pine
Slk: borovica lesná
Ces: borovice lesní, borovice sosna
Nob: furu
Nno: furu
Fra: pin sylvestre
En: Scotch pine, Scots pine, Biehtse, Bietsie, Peeci, Pieʹcc, Native Scots Pinewood, Norway Fir, Redwood, Scot’s Pine, Scots Fir, Wild Pine
Ar: صنوبر بري
An: Pin royo
Hy: Սոճի սովորական
Az: Meşə şamı
Ba: Ҡарағай
Eu: Ler gorria, Pinu gorri
Be: Хвоя звычайная
Bs: Bijeli bor
Bg: Бял бор
Ca: Pi roig, Pi d’Escòcia, Pi rojal
Zh: Ou zhou chi song, 歐洲赤松, 欧洲赤松, 欧洲赤松 (ou zhou chi song)
Cv: Хыр, Хырă
Hr: Obični bor
Cs: Borovice lesní, Borovice sosna, Sosna
Da: Skovfyr, Gærde-Kørvel, Have-Kørvel, Hundepersille, Skov-fyr, Vild Kørvel
Nl: Grove den
Eo: Arbara pino
Et: Harilik mänd
Fi: Mänty, Metsämänty, (metsä)mänty, Aitohukanputki, Koiranputki, Maustekirveli, Piikkikirveli
Fr: Pin sylvestre, Pin de Riga, Pin du Nord
Gl: Piñeiro rubio
Ka: Ფიჭვი, Ჩვეულებრივი ფიჭვი
De: Waldkiefer, Gemeine Kiefer, Föhre, Gewöhnliche Kiefer, Rot-Kiefer, Wald-Kiefer, Wald-Kiefer, Föhre, Waldföhre, Forche, Forle, Gemeine Föhre, Kienbaum, Rotföhre, Wald-Föhre, Weißkiefer
El: Δασική πεύκη
He: אורן היערות
Hu: Erdeifenyő, Az erdeifenyok, Európai erdeifenyo
Is: Skógarfura
Io: Pinastro
Ga: Giumais, Péine Albanach
It: Pino silvestre, Pino rosso, Pino comune, Pino di Scozia, Pino selvatico
Kk: Кәдімгі қарағай
Kv: Миян пожум
Ko: Gujusonamu, 구주소나무
Lv: Parastā priede
Lt: Paprastoji pušis
Lb: Fatzeg Dänn
Mk: Бел бор
Se: Beahci
No: Furu, Hagekjørvel, Hundekjeks, Hundepersille, Krokkjørvel, Toll
Nb: Furu
Nn: Furu
Fa: کاج اسکاتلندی
Pl: Sosna zwyczajna
Pt: Pinheiro-da-escócia, Pinheiro-bravo, Pinheiro-da-rússia, Pinheiro-de-genebra, Pinheiro-de-mastreação, Pinheiro-de-riga, Pinheiro-do-norte, Pinheiro-silvestre, Pinho, Pinho-da-escócia, Pinho-de-riga, Pinho-silvestre
Ro: Pin de pădure
Rm: Tieu da guaud
Ru: Сосна обыкновенная, Sosna obiknovennaya, Сосна лесная (sosna lesnaya), Сосна обыкновенная (sosna obyknovennaya), Sosna Lesnaya
Gd: Guithais, Giùthsach duthchasach Albannach, Giùthsachan duthchasach Albannach
Sr: Бели бор
Sk: Borovica sosnová, Borovica lesná, Sosna
Es: Pino sylvestris, Pino silvestre, Rdeči bor, Pino albar, Pino bravo, Pino de Valsaín, Pino rojo
Sv: Tall, (metsä)mänty, Dansk körvel, Hundkäx, Taggkörvel, Vild persilja, Fur, Fura, Skogstall
Zh-tw: 歐洲赤松
Zh-hant: 歐洲赤松
Tr: Sarıçam, Sariçam
Uk: Сосна звичайна
Wa: Pin silvesse
Cy: Ffynidwydd, Pinwydden yr Alban, Ffynidwydden Pererinbren, Pinwydden Albanaidd, Pinwydden Sgotland, Pinwydden Wyllt

Synonyms

• Pinus sylvestris f. palustris (Iverus)
• Pinus sylvestris f. erythranthera ((Sanio) Ahlfv.)
• Pinus sylvestris f. gibba ((Heer) Ahlfv.)
• Pinus sylvestris f. nanus (Iverus)
• Pinus sylvestris f. plana ((Heer) Ahlfv.)
• Pinus sylvestris f. corticola (Sylvén)
• Pinus sylvestris f. tuberculata (Sylvén)
• Pinus sylvestris f. condensata (Th.Fr.)
• Pinus sylvestris f. brachyphylla (Wittr.)
• Pinus sylvestris f. globosa (Sylvén)
• Pinus sylvestris f. plicata (L. ex Sylvén)
• Pinus sylvestris f. virgata ((Casp.) Sylvén)
• Pinus borealis (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Fullalove Esther (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by Tom cologni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Partanen Asta (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Czesław Pan (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 26, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Andreas Harnischfeger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2017 by Franck Turlan (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by daille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 17, 2019 by Marvin Filliat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2017 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 8, 2020 by Virginie Damiens (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Thierry Bonneau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2020 by Kleiner Prinz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285637)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:263353-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus sylvestris L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 3