Pinus Sylvestris, a pioneer species

Native to nordic countries the conifer Scots Pine a.k.a. Pinus Sylvestris L can live up to 500 years and can reach up to 40 m in length. With its wide geographical distribution it can adapt to different kinds of climate, soil quality (even very poor soil), humidity and terrain [1]. It is even able to grow in shaded conditions [2] and is very undemanding. Thus making it a suitable plant for reforestation in Northern Europe. It often forms large single-species forests, especially in Boreal areas. This tree develops a beautiful open crown with its bark gradually changing from brown to reddish color.

Scots Pine has high value in the forestry business and in Northern Europe is

commercially the most important species due to its timber's good strength to weight ratio and easy woodworking. Nevertheless, it is essential to protect it and oversee abusive and disorganized activities to comply with sustainability goals.

Did you know that this pine is often used in dendrochronology to detect the annual rings of the trees? Since it is long-lived and often grows in marginal conditions, with small fluctuations in temperature and moisture having a significant effect on its ring size [3].

1.Viesturs Melecis. Ekoloģija. Rīga : LU akadēmiskais apgāds, 2011. 57. lpp.

2.Gaudio N, Balandier P, Perret S, Ginisty C. Growth of understorey Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings in response to light in mixed temperate forest. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research. 2011;84:187–195.

3.Houston Durrant, T., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., 2016. Pinus sylvestris in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publ. Off. EU, Luxembourg, pp. e016b94+