Scotch pine (Pinue sylvestris), also called Scotts pine, is an evergreen tree. It is hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 7. This tree grows to heights of 60 feet with a spread of 40 feet. It has a slow to medium growth rate. The Scotch pine is a native tree to northern Europe and northern Asia, growing from Scotland to Siberia. You can grow this tree as part of a windbreak, erosion control or as a specimen tree in your landscape.
When the tree is mature and cut down, the wood has a number of uses, like used to make flooring, or furniture. It can grow in almost any soil.
Buying a Scotch pine tree already growing at a nursery or through tree catalogs can be expensive. Even if the tree is cheap, once you figure in the taxes, and/or shipping costs, your tree rapidly grows expensive. Why not save some money and grow your own Scotch pine trees. The seeds may take a little time to germinate and the trees might be slow growing, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you started your trees from seed.
In the fall, harvest the pinecones from the Scotch pine before they release the seed. If you don’t have a Scotch pine tree or know of someone who does, you can buy the seed at some garden centers, in catalogs or online. Just remember if using your own seed, stratify the seeds for 30 to 60 days before planting them in the spring.
Location and Site Preparation
Choose your planting location. The place should have the full sun exposure and the soil should be well-draining, sandy loam. You’ll also want a nearby water supply to save your back.
Work up the soil until it is fine. If your bed is 4 x 8, add a half pound of commercial fertilizer. Choose one that has 33% ammonia nitrate or ammonium phosphate 12-20-0. Amend the soil with 2 to 4 inches of organic compost and equal amounts of peatmoss. Peat moss adds acidity to the soil and helps retain the moisture content. If your soil is heavy, add some sand to help with drainage. Level the planting area with the tines of your rake. Pick out any rocks, sticks, or hard dirt clods that come to the surface.
While the soil is still soft, lay a 2 x 4 board over the area where you want to sow the seeds. Walk across the board to sink it into the ground. Lift the board carefully from the soil and you should have a 1/2 inch indention.
Sow the Seed
Place one seed every 12 inches. Press the seed with your finger, so the seed coat is in contact with the soil. Cover the seeds with peat moss 1/2 inch deep. The planting area should now be level with the surrounding soil. Peat moss works better as a top cover because it is an acid medium, which discourages disease problems.
If you have problems with small animals, cover the site with an old window screen or chicken wire. If you don’t, you are apt to lose your seeds to squirrels and other seed-loving animals. Remove the screen when the seeds have germinated.
Watering
Water the peatmoss until moistened, using the misting nozzle attached to your house, or you can use a sprinkler head watering can. Keep the seedbed moist, but not soggy until the seeds germinate. if the soil dries out, that can cause your seeds to go into dormancy. It takes 20 to 30 days for the seeds to germinate.
Stop watering after the seedlings emerge from the ground. Only water when the root zone dries out.
Keep the area well weeded. Weeds take nutrients and moisture from the soil that young Scotch pine seedlings need. Pull the weeds while they are still small, so you don’t damage the Scotch pine tree’s root system or dislodge them from the soil.
