Other Names:  KBN Gold Sport, Kate Brook Gold, Scots Pine

Description:

A slow growing, conical selection with open branching; stunning foliage is bright gold where exposed to sun, with blue-green foliage in the interior or shaded parts of the tree; a truly outstanding ornamental accent in the landscape

Ornamental Features

KBN Gold Scotch Pine is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive gold-variegated bluish-green foliage with hints of silvery blue. The needles are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. The shaggy orange bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

KBN Gold Scotch Pine is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

KBN Gold Scotch Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

KBN Gold Scotch Pine will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.