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Scots pine - or pinus sylvestris - is a softwood originating from northern Europe and Asia; the sawn form of which is used in general construction, flooring, panelling and interior joinery. It is also Scotland’s national tree and the only timber-producing conifer native to Scotland.The scots pine grows to over 30 metres tall. It’s widely grown in UK plantations, where it matures very quickly. Scots pine is the second most abundant conifer grown in the UK. Around 600,000 m3 of Scots pine is harvested annually in Great Britain, approximately two-thirds of which is in Scotland.
Its central core (heartwood) is red/brown, while its outer layer (sapwood), the part of the trunk which transports water up and down the tree, is pale yellow/white. As the tree ages, the trunk develops fissures.
Many years ago it was used for ships’ masts but nowadays is far more likely to feature on telegraph poles and furniture, or conservatories. The tree can be tapped for resin to make turpentine. The inner bark can be tapped for rope, with the roots used for tar.
Pine is cheaper than hardwood, is light, has good elasticity and resists shape distortion. However, it is susceptible to easy damage as well as knotholes. It is also a strong and hard timber. Whilst it has general characteristics, its strength and appearance can actually vary, based on the conditions in which the pine was grown. Such considerations would be the levels of moisture in the environment, the soil in which the tree has grown, also the year-round temperatures.
For instance, the Scots pine found in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park is slightly softer and weaker than the pine found on Mount Elbrus or central Spain. Central Spain sees more rainfall than Scotland, although the average temperature is much higher. The climate on Mont Elbrus is mainly freezing, so the wood would change shape more than in Scotland.
Pine is a good option for those wishing to build on a budget. It is strong, inexpensive and has a lot of flexibility. The weight of dried timber is about 510 kg/m³. The timber can be moulded into any size for any use. It is also environmentally-friendly, considering pine is very common and a renewable resource. It has a traditional look, so would suit both modern and period homes.
Once the tree has been felled, the timber dries very quickly. The wood does not degrade, however sap stain can form easily. It is therefore advisable to treat the timber with anti stain protection. As pine is also vulnerable to rot, treating the wood with strong preservatives would be a good practise.
The timber is easy to work with both hands and machinery but the exact quality of the finished product is dependent on condition (for example, the level of knotting) and the resin levels. The material is flexible with other materials; it can be glued, varnished and finishes well when painted.
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