Scots Pine
(Pinus sylvestris)
The Scots pine once ruled our nation. It is a beloved symbol of the country and the only true native pine in the UK. It was voted national tree of Scotland in 2014.
Known affectionately as “Granny Pine”, it can be found in the Ibert Woods, The Glen and across the Killearn area. Mature trees grow to 35m and can live for up to 700 years.
The species provides important homes for a range of wildlife. Around here, red squirrels, pine martens, birds, moths and insects live in Scots pines.
Fascinating fact:
Historically, Scots Pine would have covered much of the Scottish landscape, but over the centuries humans have cleared it from the land. Only small groves now exist, including in the Caledonian Pine Forest in the Highlands.
Scots pines are evergreen, with blue-green, needle-like leaves. Their bark is red and fissured higher up and brown on the lower trunk. They adapt well to our climate and grow happily in acidic, waterlogged soils.
Male (yellow) and female (red-purple) flowers grow on the same tree. When it is time to reproduce, the yellow pollen creates clouds of “magical dust”.
The female flowers turn green after they are pollinated, and develop into cones. They mature the following season, so there are always cones of different ages on any one tree.
Young trees grow quickly in the early years then slow down, changing their shape. Most of the Scots pines in and around Killearn are less than 150 years old.
Did you know
Scots pine is widely grown for timber used in construction and joinery, as well as for telegraph poles, pit props, gate posts and fencing. The tree can also be tapped for resin to make turpentine. Dry cones can be used as kindling and are a popular material for craft making, such as creating Christmas decorations. If you would like, try collecting some dry cones and transform them into hedgehogs by adding eyes and feet.