If you want a bit of Christmas growing in your yard all year long, consider planting the Scotch pine, (Pinus Sylvestris) also more commonly known or called the Christmas tree. While young, this evergreen tree is fast growing, averaging 1 foot per year. After that, the growth rate slows down to moderate growing. As the tree ages, the bark changes color to a showy red.
The needles are approximately 1 to 3 inches in length depending on the variety. The fact that the needles rarely fall from the tree, even when they’re dry is another reason they are the chosen Christmas tree.
You can buy a Scotch pine at the garden nursery, online or from a garden catalog, but they are often expensive on the pocketbook. And then, if they don’t grow, you are out some serious money. Instead of buying one already growing, why not start your own from seed? If you find some Scotch pine cones, your tree will be free. All you will be out is the time it took to plant them.
Harvesting Pinecones and Seed Removal
Harvest the pinecones in the fall just before they crack open. If you wait too long, the seed will be scattered onto the ground. Lay the gathered pine cones on a tarp or tray and place them in the sun. There they will continue to dry open up, but their seed won’t be lost.
If the pinecones don’t release their seeds, hold them over a tray lined with newspaper and give them a shake. The tray will catch the seeds as they fall. Scotch pine seeds are delicate so handle them with care. You can remove the wings from the seeds by rubbing them between your thumb and forefinger, but it is not a mandatory step.
Fill a bowl with room temperature water. Place the seeds in the water and leave them to soak for 24 hours. At the end of that time, fill another bowl with fresh, room temperature water. Place the seeds in there to soak for another 24 hours. The seeds will have two full days of soaking time. If you find any seeds floating on top of the water, toss them away because they are not viable.
Stratify the Seeds
Dampen about 2 to 4 cups of sand. You’ll want enough sand to fill a sealable baggie two-thirds full. Place half of the dampened sand into the baggie or enough sand to fill it about a third full. Place the seeds on the sand and then cover them with more damp sand. Close the bag loosely and place the bag of seeds in a location that stays 35 to 40° Fahrenheit. If you have room put them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, you can put them in the basement or an unheated room. Leave them there 30 to 60 days. Check the seeds occasionally to ensure that the sand stays moist. The sand cannot dry out, but don’t give it so much water that it is wringing wet.
Although you can plant the Scotch pine seed outdoors, there is often a problem of small animals digging up the seeds to eat. By starting them indoors you will know that the seeds are safe.
Find several 4-inch pots. cover the drainage holes with a coffee filter so when you water, the soil does not wash away. Fill the pots with well-drained potting soil. Choose a potting soil that has peatmoss in it because the Scotch pine seeds need the acidity to grow. The top of the potting soil should be 1/2 inch below the pot’s rim
Place one seed vertically in the center of each pot with the pointy end facing down into the soil. Push the seed with your finger so the so it is in contact with the soil, but not enough to bury it. Lightly cover the seed with potting soil.
Watering
Place the pots into a tub with high sides. Fill the tub with water, stopping when the water is almost level with the rim of the pot. Leave them to soak until the soil is visibly moist. Remove the pots, placing them on a drainage rack. After the excess water is gone, place the pots in a tray or pan with sides. This helps hold the pots upright and contains the mess from seeping water.
Location
Place the pots in a bright sunny window. Check the soil daily and water to keep it evenly moist. Don’t water so much that the soil remains soggy or your seeds will rot. Germination is slow. It can take a month or longer for the seeds to germinate.
When the seeds sprout, continue to maintain a moist soil. Keep them in a sunny location until the seedlings are 8 to 12 inches tall. After that, transplant the Scotch pine tree seedlings onto their permanent location after all danger of frost is past.
