The Scots Pine

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

A tree associated in storytelling with purification and foresight.


This beautiful and important native tree is one of Scotland's gems, and is equally important for economics and for biodiversity conservation. The Scots pine is a very important habitat for some rare lichens and for the Scottish Crossbill (Loxia scotica), an Amber Status species which is found nowhere else in the world.

"As the largest and longest-lived tree in the Caledonian Forest, the Scots pine is a keystone species in the ecosystem, forming the 'backbone' on which many other species depend." (http://treesforlife.org.uk/forest/species-profiles/scots-pine/)

The Readers Garden will feature a small Scots Pine* as part of the woodland glade edge.

"The Scots Pine formed large parts of forests in Great Britain, particularly in the North of England and in Scotland, until 8000 years ago. The oldest known Scots Pine blew down at Inveraray in 1951 and was thought to be over 330 years old. " Find out more about the Scots Pine here: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5nlfap


* Or maybe 3... Mummy, Daddy and Baby pines, Goldilocks style?