Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Our range of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) bare root trees

We have Pinus sylvestris bare root tree saplings in several sizes and specifications.   The 1U1 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were planted from seed in the spring and instead of being sold in the following November to April period they are kept in situ in our fields and grown on for a further year or longer which makes a strong bushy plant. Their roots are trimmed underground after the first year to encourage a fibrous root system and bushy growth.

We also have Pinus sylvestris transplants which begin as one year old whips which are lifted, have their roots trimmed  by hand to encourage bushy growth and are then planted back out for one or more growing seasons in a different area of our fields at lower density to give each plant more space, nutrients and water.  1+1 means a one year seedling then transplanted back out again for a further year.  1+2 means it's been transplanted out again for a further two years.

We also have cell grown Pinus sylvestris trees which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these are ideal for forestry and woodland creation.  Cell grown plants are available all year round.

You can read more about the various specifications we offer in each species on the tab just below our pricing table to the right of this product description.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Summary

Scots Pine was crowned as the national tree of Scotland in 2014. It’s the only native pine to the UK and one of only three native conifers along with Yew and Juniper (we don't sell Juniper). These trees are found in abundance in the Scottish Highlands as well as less abundantly elsewhere, and provide a natural habitat that is of great benefit to local wildlife including rare species like red squirrels, the capercaillie and the Scottish wildcat.

Scots pine trees are magnificent, very long living trees (up to 700 years’ old and the older trees are sometimes called “granny pines”.  They have a tall, bare trunk topped by a pyramidal crown.  The shape of Scots Pine trees depends where it grows and how isolated it is from others. In a plantation and genetically selected for timber, it grows fast and straight but when growing alone on a windy hillside, it develops a wide cloud-like canopy.

They provide timber which is one of the strongest softwoods.

Soil and Situation

Drier heathland, woodlands and forests away from the coast but sometimes also planted in parks and large gardens where it provides a stunning evergreen presence. Scots Pine prefers full sun.  It is frost hardy.

Leaves, flowers, fruit and bark

Scots Pine does not require insect pollination but supports a wide range of insects. The needles are short, blue green (bluer in younger trees) and in pairs.  There are male and female flowers on the same tree.  Female red/purple flowers develop into rounded, brown pine cones with a knobbly bit at the middle of each scale.  The bark is reddish-brown - some say "squirrel red". Scots pines give off a musky scent in early summer.

It produces fine light timber. with a pink grain.  The world's tallest completely wooden building is a church in Russia built after 1714 with 22 onion-domes and a height of more than 100 feet, it was constructed from Scots pine logs without using a single nail.

The bark is initially a striking orange/brown colour, later in mature trees turning greyish/brown and peeling off in long strips

Eventual height and growth rate of Pinus sylvestris

Eventual height can be 20-30m and growth rate is modest – 30-60cm pa. Pinus sylvestris trees are very long living, up to 700 years.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)