Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - Supplier of Pine Wood
The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a characteristic conifer from the pine family (Pinaceae). This versatile tree, also known historically as mast tree or pine tree, has a rich history in both Dutch forestry and the timber industry. The wood of the Scots pine is known as pine wood or in English-speaking countries as 'European redwood'.
Distinctive Features
- Needles grow in pairs on short shoots
- Gray-green, twisted needles up to 8 cm long
- Characteristic taproot for deep water absorption
- Height of 25-35 meters
- Age up to 700 years (Sweden)
Scots Pine in its natural habitat
Botanical Properties
Characteristic needles of the Scots pine
Growth and Development
- Young trees: conical crown
- Older trees: umbrella-shaped crown
- Bark: smooth and gray-yellow on young trees
- Older bark: rough plate-like structure
- Cones: green to dark gray-brown, up to 7 cm
Did you know?
In Sweden, there is a Scots pine that is over 700 years old, although trees are usually harvested in forestry after 80-120 years.
Pine Wood: Features and Applications
Pine wood planks showing the characteristic structure
The wood of the Scots pine, known as pine wood, has various applications:
- Traditionally used as pit props
- Source of turpentine oil, resin, and tar
- Turpentine oil for thinning paint
- Northern European rosin from the resin
- Construction wood for various applications
"The Scots pine is not only an important wood supplier but also played a crucial role in combating sand drift in the Netherlands."
Distribution and Habitat
The Scots pine has an extensive distribution area:
- Almost all of Europe (except the west coast of France, southern Spain)
- Central Asia up to the Himalayas
- North China
- Grows up to 2000 meters high in mountains
Dutch Context
In the Netherlands, the Scots pine has a special history:
- 12,000 years native after the last ice age
- Original population disappeared due to reclamation
- Reintroduction with foreign planting stock
- Mast forest (1515): oldest planted pine forest
- Large planting in the 19th century on heathlands
- Covers now 1049 km² of Dutch forest area