Know your trees Larch, spruce or Douglas fir? Read the second of our four-part tree identification series and discover the signs that are key to recognising conifers
In the second of our four-part series Lia Leendertz helps us sort the spruce from the larch and the fir as she explains how to identify conifers
Pinus sylvestris Scots pine
Scots pine is the national tree of Scotland, and it is in Scotland that you will see it at its finest, in ancient pine forests and in majestic stands on heathland. Its leaning, red trunks glow in the low, northern light, and its spacious, gappy canopy is never dense enough to create a dark and gloomy forest floor. All of those found in England, Wales and Ireland have been planted or have naturalised from plantings – even those of the New Forest, where it looks so at home, were only introduced in the 1600s. It followed hard on the heels of the retreating glaciers at the end of the ice age, settling in the far north of the UK and carrying on beyond, well into the Arctic Circle. This quick, post-ice age settlement makes it one of our oldest natives, as well as being one of only three native conifers.
1 Bark
The bark is flaky and reddish brown towards the crown of the tree and darker brown and covered in shiny scales towards the base.
2 Buds
Clusters of waxy brown buds can be found at the tips of the branches. Female flowers, which are small, round and red, are borne at the tips, while male yellow flowers are further down the branch.
3 Needles
Pine needles are long and soft with a twist, and are borne in pairs. They are glaucous bluey green in summer and darker green in winter.
4 Cones
Young cones are bright green with a brown raised dot at the tip of each scale, and over time the whole cone turns woody and brown.
5 Silhouette
Scots pines are tall, towering trees. Their elegant trunks have very few lower limbs and often lean to one side. Scots pines always look top heavy, holding a dome of foliage high in the air.