What soil does Scots pine grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, acidic, calcareous, clay.

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Scots pine be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How much water does Scots pine need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Scots pine cost?

It sells for roughly €8.30 to €180 in local shops, depending on size.

Scots pine

Pinus sylvestris

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a large tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €8.30.

Illustration of Scots pine — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fast-growing native pine that starts out conical and later forms a loose, umbrella-like crown, with striking orange-red bark on the upper trunk and main branches. It is undemanding: it grows on poor, sandy, stony, acidic or limy soil as long as it has full sun and good drainage, but it cannot take waterlogged or saline ground. It becomes a big tree (15 to 30 metres), so plant it only in a roomy garden well away from buildings, and bear in mind that it is happiest in cooler, wetter areas and suffers in hot, dry summers.

Watch out for

In the hot, drought-prone lowlands of Central Europe Scots pine lives at the edge of its tolerance: in Hungarian forests only about a quarter of the stands are still healthy. That is far better than black pine, of which hardly any healthy stands remain, but the trend is the same. Drought-weakened trees are attacked by Diplodia tip blight (Diplodia sapinea): needles at the shoot tips turn brown and hang on for a long time, repeatedly infected branches go bare and the tree can die. The fungus does more damage as summers get warmer and drier and is hitting Scots pine more and more often. Sawflies and scale insects also occur, and it copes badly with heavily polluted air. In a cooler, wetter, hilly location on well-drained soil, and watered in droughts, it is still a reasonable choice; in a hot, dry lowland garden it is a long-term risk.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 4.5 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Evergreen

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	4.5 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	10–30 m × 9–15 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Acidic, Calcareous, Clay
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	no data
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	600 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €8.30

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-30 cm	approx. €8.30
size not stated	approx. €24 – €180

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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