Page 38 - Forest Trees of Maine

S (S)P Pinus sylvestris L.

cots pine is the most widely mature trees is gray to red-brown and
S distributed pine in the world but has irregular ridges and furrows.
is not native to Maine. A native of The leaves are needles in clusters
northern Europe and Asia, it grows of two. They are 1½–3 inches long,
naturally from Scotland almost to the stout, stiff, twisted, dull blue-green
Pacific Ocean and from above the with distinctive lines of stomata.
Arctic Circle in Scandinavia to the The cones are 1½–2 inches long
Mediterranean. In parts of its native and numerous, even on comparatively
range, Scots pine grows to be a tall young trees; the scales are armed with
timber tree in dense stands. There are small, blunt spines.
many strains of this species; the trees The wood is similar in character
that have been planted in Maine often to red pine; however, due to its poor
have very poor growth habits. This, form, in Maine it is seldom used for
plus its susceptibility to snow, porcu- lumber. It is occasionally used for pulp
pine and bird injury, makes it undesir- and fuel.
able for timber production here. Scots
pine will grow on very poor soils. Some Scots pine, as the name suggests,
strains are planted for Christmas trees,
is not native to Maine.
and it has been widely used in orna-
mental plantings.
The bark in the crown region of
medium to large trees has conspicuous
orange coloration. The lower bark of

MAINE REGISTER OF BIG TREES 2008
Scots Pine Circumference: 124'' Height: 60' Crown Spread: 45' Location: Falmouth

36 SC OTS P INE