January & February 2025: Red Pine & Scots Pine

By Greg Doyle and Tyson Gregory

Red Pine and Scots Pine, while easily confused, are uncommon in Lexington. Both have two needles per bundle (fascicle), requiring us to examine other characteristics for identification.

• Bark: Mature Scots Pine displays distinctive orange-red bark on its side branches. Red Pine, conversely, features gray-brown bark with subtle red-orange undertones on upper branches.

• Needles: Scots Pine needles are typically sharp, 2-3 inches long, and blue-green in color, while Red Pine needles are softer, 4-6 inches long, and have a brighter yellow-green color.

• Cones: Scots Pine cones are short, pointing backward on the stem, with

  straight rigid scales that display a diamond or rhomboid-like pattern on the tips. Red Pine cones are longer, egg-shaped, and have scales that curve backward when dry. The tips of its cone scales are rounded thus lacking a distinct diamond pattern.

These species struggle significantly in Lexington's hot, humid summers and alkaline, clay-rich soils. This stress makes them susceptible to many diseases with Dothistroma needle blight and root rot being the most prevalent. Because of their many disease issues and shortened life-span, we do not recommend planting either species in Lexington.

Red Pine in Section 48 of Lexington Cemetery, Tyson Gregory​​

Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

Red Pine cone, Tyson Gregory

This Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) is located in Section 48 of the Lexington Cemetery. Native to the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada, it can easily be identified by its reddish bark and by its needles that grow in pairs. This conifer grows at about one inch a year and can reach a height of 90 to 100 feet. It grows best in well-drained acidic dry sandy soils and has a deep wide root system which allows it to withstand strong wind events. This pine tree can have a trunk diameter of up to 40 inches and can live up to 500 years. Red Pine, like most pines, is monoecious with both male and female cones held on the same tree. Its needles grow 4 to 6 inches long with 2 needles per fascicle. The cones are ovoid in shape 1.5 to 2.5 inches long.

Native American tribes have different names for the Red Pine including Nikwatiko to the Cree tribe and Wazichan to the Dakota tribe. The Red Pine is the state tree for Minnesota. The national champion Red Pine is located on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison with a height of 124 feet and a crown spread of almost 33 feet.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

 Scots Pine in Section 41 of Lexington Cemetery, Greg Doyle

Scots Pine cone, Greg Doyle

This Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is located in Section 41 of the Lexington Cemetery. Native to Eurasia it is the only timber-producing conifer native to Scotland and was once part of the extensive Caledonian pine forest. It is known as a pioneer species due its ability to regenerate and thrive in poor soils. It can grow to a height of 120 feet with a lifespan of 300 years. This pine has a tendency to lose its lower branches as it grows and is known to support over 170 types of insects. It has twisted blue-green needles found in pairs 2 to 3 inches long. The pine cones of the Scots Pine are egg-shaped in clusters of 2 to 4 that point backwards along the stem. It is monoecious having both male and female reproductive parts on the same tree.

One of its uses in the past was for masts for sailing ships. Today the wood is used for telegraph poles, furniture, fences, chipboard, paper pulp, and as frames in buildings. The current tallest Scots Pine on record is over 150 feet tall and is located in Estonia. The Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland.