Scotch Pine Tree Seeds (Pinus sylvestris)

The world's most widely distributed pine. Built for cold, wind, and the long haul.

Pinus sylvestris, the Scotch Pine, is the most widely distributed pine species in the world, ranging from the Atlantic coast of Scotland across the entire width of Russia to eastern Siberia and from the Arctic tree line south to the mountains of Spain and Turkey. It is the quintessential Christmas tree of European tradition, the primary timber pine of northern Europe for centuries, and one of the most adaptable conifers available to North American growers. Its distinctive orange-red upper bark glowing against blue-green needles makes it immediately recognizable and uniquely beautiful among pines at any age. If you are looking to buy Scotch Pine seeds or grow Scots pine from seed, this is a tree with a history as long as European civilization.

• The most widely distributed pine species in the world, native from Scotland to Siberia
• Distinctive orange-red bark on the upper trunk and branches, brilliant in winter light
• Extremely cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures to negative 40 degrees in native range
• One of the most planted Christmas tree species in North America and Europe
• Adaptable to a wide range of soils and exposures, highly drought-tolerant once established

Things you probably did not know about the Scotch Pine

The ancient Caledonian pine forests of Scotland are among the oldest ecosystems in Europe.
Remnant native Scotch Pine forests in the Scottish Highlands are the surviving fragments of a forest that covered much of Scotland after the last Ice Age. These forests, called the Caledonian Forest, are considered one of the most important wild habitats in Britain and support rare species found nowhere else in the United Kingdom.

It was used to build the world's first suspension bridges.
Scotch Pine timber was used extensively in early industrial-era construction in Britain, including early suspension bridge components and mine shaft supports. Its combination of long straight grain, reasonable hardness, and widespread availability made it the default structural timber of northern Europe for centuries.

The resin has been used medicinally across Eurasia for thousands of years.
Pine tar from Scotch Pine was used to treat skin conditions, respiratory complaints, and preserve wood and rope across Scandinavia, Russia, and the Baltic states. Finnish tar, produced primarily from Scotch Pine, was one of the most traded commodities in 17th and 18th century northern Europe.

Each seed-grown tree develops a unique crown shape.
Scotch Pine grown from seed produces natural variation in form that is one of its most appealing qualities. Some individuals develop upright, symmetrical crowns while others grow asymmetrically with character-filled, windswept forms. The orange-red bark develops gradually, typically beginning to appear in the upper canopy after 10 to 15 years.

Growing Details

• Botanical Name: Pinus sylvestris
• Stratification: Recommended, 30 to 60 days cold stratification
• USDA Zones: 2 to 8
• Soil: Adaptable, tolerates poor, sandy, rocky, or dry soils, prefers well-drained conditions
• Light: Full sun
• Height: 30 to 60 feet
• Spread: 15 to 30 feet
• Growth Rate: Moderate, 1 to 1.5 feet per year

Plant it where you want a pine with character. The orange bark alone is worth it on a winter morning.