scots pine

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Family: Pinaceae (Pine)
Branching: Evergreen
Other names: Scotch Pine

Scots Pine is one of the most commonly-found introduced trees. In southern Ontario, it has definitely become naturalized. It can vary quite a bit in shape and but most often it has the most irregular crown of the pines and has a noticeable contrast between the red, flaky upper bark and the darker, furrowed bark of the mature tree. It has longer needles (2 per bundle) than Jack Pine, but shorter than Red Pine. Like those two, its needles are in bundles of two. Its needles often have a bluish tinge to them.

Scots Pine needles; bundles of two and twisted

Another view of the needles

Young bark is reddish and flaky (resembling Red Pine)

Another look at young bark

Mature bark; much less red but still slightly mottled

A mature Scots Pine