TREE OF THE MONTH – December - Scot’s Pine

Yes, a native of Scotland, the Scot’s Pine grew in vast woodland forests, though suffered a steep decline in number due to harvesting for shipbuilding and charcoal fuel over the years. Today, the species is amongst others undergoing replenishment within various Restocking Programmes and any felled timber is more often used for fencing manufacture given the tree’s straight growth habit. The Scot’s Pine thrives in drier, acidic to neutral soils, more prolifically in sunshine, and will tolerate coastal winds. The tree can reach 40m in height where certain birds of prey are known to nest on level branches in the higher canopies. The oldest recorded specimen was in Lapland in northern Finland, estimated at 760+ years of age. The attractive bark is ruddy brown in colour with an uneven, scaly texture. Blue-green needles appear in pairs, and cones (male cones are yellow; female cones are green) mature to grey-brown and when dried, make ideal kindling for fires. Sticky resins, only made by the Pinaceae family, are used in turpentine, or as an antiseptic oil, or even for waterproofing. Attractive planted in groups, or stand alone, Pinus sylvestris is relatively slow growing and will not over-dominate the landscape or steal your views, making it ideal evergreen choice for your urban garden!

Heritage Tree Gift Service

Whether you would like an exciting centre-piece for your garden, a commemorative tree to remember a loved one by, a gorgeous Wisteria heralding the onset of late Spring, interesting driveway hedging or roadside screening, a tree-lined walk-way to open up a vista, or a bespoke tailor-made design by Hugo, please CONTACT US to discuss your desires. We will source, deliver and install many varieties of gift trees, and shrubs, for your individual project, of all imaginable sizes - anything from the adaptable Field Maple; stunning in autumn, a contorted corkscrew Hazel in a terracotta pot on the terrace, an eye catching white stemmed Birch (or three) on the horizon, a pretty weeping Cherry cascading beside a water feature, or a characterful Olive Tree overlooking your estate. Please ask us! With over thirty five years planting knowledge on the Chiltern Hills and soils of the surrounding areas, expert advice is guaranteed. Allow us to inspire you!