Scotch Pines

The scotch pine, also called the scots pine, is a native of northern Europe continuing eastward to Siberia.The scotch pine has been used in the reforestation on the United States since the beginning of forestry in thiscountry. Scotch pines are found in the Laurel Lake area.

Pine trees belong to a group of plants called conifers. Pines bear both male and female cones. Male cones measure about1 inch and female cones are much larger and have woody scales.In the spring, male cones produce enormous amounts of pollen.The wind carries pollen to egg cells attached to the scaleswhich develop into seeds. These seeds take 1 or 2 years to mature.

Scotch pines grow to a height exceeding 80 feet. They resemble the Virginia pine, which are native to ourWest Virginia.

The needles of the scotch pine are arranged two to acluster and are between 1.5 and 3 inches in length. The needles are bluegreen in color and are slightly twisted,sharp, and pointed.

The cones of the scotch pine average between 1.25 and 2.5 inches in length. They are a dull, tawny-yellow color.

The bark of the scotch pine soon becomes orange in color, and this color is persistent until the tree reaches full size when it becomes dark and furrowed.