Scots Pine Sapling Trees

• Common name: Scots Pine
• Latin name: Pinus sylvestris
• Sold as: Bareroot saplings, in two sizes
• Mature size: To 25m tall and more than 8m wide, over 20 to 50 years
• Leaves: Evergreen. Twisted grey-green needles, carried in pairs
• Bark: Orange-brown on the upper trunk and branches
• Cones: 5cm long
• Shape: Conical when young, with an irregular, picturesque outline at maturity
• Best soil and site: Any well-drained soil, chalk included. Full sun
• Use: Tall screening and native planting. Not recommended as a clipped hedge
• Native: Yes
• Hardiness: H7, hardy in the severest British winter
• Delivered: Bareroot, November to April. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Scots Pine is a large, native evergreen with paired grey-green needles and orange-brown upper bark, conical when young and irregular in outline at maturity. It grows to 25 metres in any well-drained soil in full sun, and makes a better screen than a clipped hedge.

Scots Pine Sapling Trees

Scots Pine is the only true native pine. An enormously tough large tree, conical when young before the top flattens out as it grows.

The bark is often a warm orange/red when young, and something of this tone remains on branches up in the crown of mature trees. They produce numerous cones, which are shed in the summer. To 25m.

Is Scots Pine good for hedging? In our opinion, it's better to let it grow as screening trees. When it's still young it'll make a semi-hedge down to the ground, but it's a challenge to clip it without leaving bald patches: use Norway Spruce for hedging instead.

See our other evergreens, or our full range of sapling trees and hedging.

Delivery season: Scots Pine are delivered bareroot from late autumn to early spring, November to April.

Growing Scots Pine

Grows almost anywhere, preferring well-drained soil.

What Tree is a Christmas Tree?

• The most traditional Christmas Tree in the UK is the Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, which holds its needles pretty well, but is no longer in demand compared to the two species below.
• The Nordman Fir, Abies nordmanniana, known as the Non-Drop Christmas tree, has become the most popular for indoor use, especially for people buying their tree early.
• The cheaper Norway Spruce, Picea abies, smells great but drops its needles quite quickly indoors, so it's better for outdoor use or when buying an indoor tree last minute.

Planting Companions

The RHS notes that Scots Pine can be used in native plantings. Silver Birch is another native sold as a sapling, and there are more in our native trees collection. For other evergreens, see our conifers; Norway Spruce and Nordmann Fir are linked above. Dust the roots with Rootgrow as you plant.

Why Ashridge?

Ashridge has sold plants since 1949 and is a Which? Best Plant Supplier 2025. Your Scots Pine saplings are lifted to order while dormant, sent bareroot between November and April, and guaranteed for 12 months. Bareroot plants establish very readily.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a Scots Pine grow?

The RHS gives it up to 25 metres in height and more than 8 in spread, reached over 20 to 50 years. Plant it where you have room for a large tree.

Can you grow Scots Pine as a hedge?

It is better as a screen. While young it makes a rough screen down to the ground, but it is hard to clip without leaving bald patches. Use Norway Spruce for a hedge.

Is Scots Pine native to Britain?

Yes. The RHS lists it as a native, and it is the only true native Pine.

What soil does it need?

Any well-drained soil, in full sun. The RHS lists chalk, clay, loam and sand at any pH, and says it can be used in native plantings.

Does it need pruning?

No. The RHS says no pruning is required, so you can leave it alone.

Does Scots Pine make a good Christmas tree?

It is the most traditional Christmas tree in the UK and holds its needles pretty well, although Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce are now more in demand.

When are the plants delivered?

Bareroot only, from November to April, while the plants are dormant. You can order at any time of year and your plants are lifted and sent once the season opens.