Not a rare tree is at the focus of attention in 2007, but a “modest beauty with a tough desire for survival”. Scots pine is one of the most beautiful evergreen European species – provided that it is allowed to develop freely, instead of being crowded by other pines in monocultures. Humans have encouraged the extensive distribution of Scots pine, which by nature is a weak competitor. It is therefore always finding new niches – a real survivor.

Scots pines under a clear blue sky – for many people the beauty of this sight is equalled by no other. The clear blue sky brings out the species’ many aesthetical highlights: the young, reddish bark, the green needles, the aura of Japanese gardens. The crowns of Scots pines vary greatly – unless they grow in monocultures planted in rows, where all trees are the same age.

The unique, aromatic scent of pine forests offers a respite to stressed city folk: A picnic with the whole family under pines on a warm spring day occupies all senses – seeing, smelling, feeling and listening… At the coast and in the high regions of mountain ranges, where they are flattened by the wind from one side, the crowns can turn into wind escapers. One such wind escaper even has frequent TV appearances: The pine at the lighthouse of the German island Hiddensee forms the backdrop for the weather forecast on NDR-MV (Northern German TV channel) every evening at 7.55pm.

Its high light requirements mean that Scots pine is a weak competitor. Its advantage lies in its ability to conquer empty spaces, extreme habitats and disaster areas, e.g. after a forest fire. It is a typical pioneer species. Its deep-reaching root makes it very stable. Ideal conditions for this species include good supplies of water and nutrients. Its only chance of survival lies in extreme habitats, e.g. in dry, sandy soil that is poor in nutrients, on rocks or on the edge of a swamp. These are the only places in which Scots pine can compete successfully against other species. Pines are true survivors: No other species can survive with so little water and earth. For example forest pines can grow in rock cracks, where at an age of 50 years they are often no taller than 50cm. Scots pines form an important habitat for a great number of insects, fungi and birds. However some insects, eating all needles off the tree, can cause serious problems. Over 50 species of fungus can be found in the roots, helping the tree to absorb nutrients and water (so-called mykorrhia) – one of them is the fly agaric.

Pine’s ability to cope with the most adversary conditions first made reforestation possible, where it was put to use up until the 19th century. Nowadays Scots pine is the second most common species in Germany, occupying 23% of the forest cover (72% in Brandenburg).

Its wood is very popular in furniture design because of its warm colour. It is also used as structural timber in interior and exterior building: for ship decks, for piles, sleepers, garden furniture, doors, windows, stairs, and floors – the weak wood is used e.g. for the production of cellulose.
Pinewood spills (3mm thick and 4cm wide) were once used to brighten rooms. The utilisation of resin was important for a long time. As early as in 1793 the inventor of homeopathy, HAHNEMANN, wrote about its medicinal relevance. Extracts of pine oil are used in scents, in massage oils, bath essences, sauna infusions and internally (by inhalation) against colds and sore throats.

Amber, the “Northern Gold”, is the hardened resin of pines that grew over 50 million years ago. No other natural product has held the fascination of humanity for such a long time. Amber has been collected since the Stone Ages. The inclusions of insects and plant remains are particulary impressive.

The ability of Scots pine to adapt to extreme climates became obvious after the extremely dry summer of 2003, when this species showed the least damage of all trees. Pine monocultures are currently being turned into mixed broadleaved stands wherever possible. Mixed stands that include pines contribute to a reduction of risks: Scots pine will be better able than indigenous trees to cope with climate changes and the subsequent spreading of dry habitats.

Approx. 100 pine species exist all over the world, including one with 50-cm long cones (the sugar pine), one whose cones can be lethal at times (the Coulter pine, whose spikey 3-kg cones can fall from a height of 25m) and one that, at almost 5,000 years of age, includes the oldest living trees on earth (the bristlecone pine).

Comprehensive information (always up to date) available from www.baum-des-jahres.de

Translation by Kathrin Roloff