Timberpedia - Scots Pine

Scots Pine

Latin Name:Irish Name:Native to Ireland?
Pinus sylvestris Fraoch craneYes

About the Tree

Scots Pine is the only pine native to northern Europe. In the British Isles it now occurs naturally
only in Scotland, but historical and archaeological records indicate that it also occurred in Ireland,
Wales and England as well until about 300-400 years ago, becoming extinct there due to overexploitation; it has been re-introduced in these countries.

Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland, and it formed much of the Caledonian Forest which once
covered much of the Scottish Highlands. Overcutting for timber demand, fire, overgrazing by sheep
and deer, and even deliberate clearance to deter wolves have all been factors in the decline of this
once great forest.

Considered to be in the softwood family. 

About the Wood

It is a strong general purpose timber.

Uses of wood – Preservatives are effective on this wood hence it is suitable for outdoors. Used for
fencing, joinery, building, flooring, box and packing case manufacture, railway sleepers, pitwood,
fibreboard, chipboard, and telegraph poles. Referred to by the timber trade as “redwood” or “deal”.

Skuleskogen pine Mature tree
Pinar Sierra de Guadarrama 2005-09-13 Pine forest
Pinus sylvestris MHNT.BOT.2005.0.971 Mature open cones and seeds
About the TimberPedia

Know your wood! The Timberpedia is a broad resource that aims to catalogue all the major tree species in Ireland, containing information that we’ve gathered from over two decades maintaining our natural woodland and serving Ireland’s woodworking industry.

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