Other Names:  Scots Pine

Description:

A great choice for the residential landscape; long, twisted dark green needles provides the backdrop for the shorter, lighter growth at the ends; a dense narrower structure makes this one ideal for smaller areas

Ornamental Features

Slim Jim Scotch Pine is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The twisted needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The shaggy orange bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Slim Jim Scotch Pine is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. 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.

Slim Jim Scotch Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Slim Jim Scotch Pine will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 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 medium 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. 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.