An Easy-Care Christmas Tree for All Seasons.
The needles are 1 to 4 inches long, depending on variety, shedding about every three years.
The needles are bunched in pairs that twist together.
The tree is pyramidal in shape when young, but becomes flatter on top as it ages.
This tree is best planted in spring or autumn.
It grows at a moderate rate, about 1 to 2 feet per year.
Most mature specimens reach about 60 feet tall, with a width of about 40 feet.
It is also very commonly grown commercially for theChristmas tree market.
Scots pine is not grown for its lumber.
Scots pine has a good tolerance for clay soils and drought but needs well-draining soil.
Water
Young trees need about 1 inch of water per week.
Mature trees only need water during hotter days and only if the tree has not received rainfall recently.
Temperature and Humidity
Scots pine is native to northern Europe and Central Asia.
It can thrive in many climates, though it does not do well in subtropical or tropical regions.
Water the tree thoroughly immediately after feeding.
Once established, this tree requires little care.
Remove dead branches, and if branches rub together, prune one of the branches away.
Propagating Scots Pine
Scots pine is grown from planting seeds or stem cuttings.
Stem or branch cuttings are a good way to grow new plants from pruned branches or new growth.
Potting and Repotting Scots Pine
Plant newly rooted or young seedlings in the ground in the spring.
If repotting new saplings, only repot every two or three years in the late fall or early spring.
Do not repot too much, since repeated transplanting can shock and potentially kill the plant.
Cut back on the water before repotting, keeping the soil slightly dry.
To transplant, remove the root ball from the pot, keeping it whole.
Prune away old roots from the bottom and sides.
Cover the root ball with new soil.
Overwintering
Mature Scots pines can handle winter without a problem.
Seedlings and saplings are more sensitive to cold winters and will need some protection.
Use a layer of mulch to insulate the soil around the seedling about 4 to 6 inches thick.
Also, water the young tree thoroughly at least twice a month throughout fall and winter.
The tree will need several years to establish a strong root system.
Consult an expert for confirmation.
The tree will need to be removed and destroyed since it is incurable.
Western gall rust andLophodermiumneedle cast are also common in some areas.
Also, horticultural oil applied in early spring is another good solution.
Only move on to chemical pesticides if these organic solutions prove unsuccessful.
Porcupines and birds, especially pine grosbeak, can also cause damage to the tree.
They like full sun and can withstand a frigid winter.
The rule of thumb to keep these plants thriving is to protect them in their early years.
Soggy soil leads to root rot and needle yellowing.
Another potential cause is needle scorch when the soil is too dry on hot days.
Insufficient light, ventilation, or pines shocked by too much sunlight can also cause yellowing needles.
Evaluate the conditions of your Scots pine to determine what’s affecting your tree.
Adjust the watering schedule accordingly.
If the inner layer of the bark is dry and brown, it’s dead.
If it’s still green underneath it still has life.
If pine needle yellowing only occurs on the old needles, the tree can bounce back.
If yellowing occurs on old and new growth, the tree may be more difficult to revive.
If it appears on branches, remove the branches.
Cut down and destroy diseased branches.
Infected parts that are cut out, should be layered with pine tar as a salve for the cuts.
Oozing Sap
A little bit of sap is no reason to worry.
Cankers are fungal growths that spread under the bark and affect the tree, sometimes causing sap to ooze.
These growths can kill a tree if not handled early on.
A Scots pine is a long-lived tree that can live from 150 to 300 years.
The oldest recorded specimen was in Lapland in northern Finland, estimated at more than 760 years of age.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Scots pine is the most widely distributed pine in the world.
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
Pinus sylvestris L. U.S. Forest Service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
