Guides · Tree database · Pennsylvania trees
Scots pine identification: needles, bark, cones and twigs
Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, is an introduced tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its needles, bark, cones and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Stout, twisted blue-green needles 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, two per bundle. Bark: Orange and peeling on young trees and in the upper crown; gray or red-brown ridges lower on old trunks. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify Scots pine
| Leaf type | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base |
|---|---|
| Needles | Stout, twisted blue-green needles 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, two per bundle. |
| Bark | Orange and peeling on young trees and in the upper crown; gray or red-brown ridges lower on old trunks. |
| Cones | Short-stalked cones 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long with a blunt spine on the scales. |
| Twigs | Green when young, later yellow-brown. |
| Size and shape | Often a crooked or leaning trunk; up to about 90 feet. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is Scots pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Scots pine as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like Scots pine
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Virginia pine Pinus virginiana | Needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Twisted yellow-green needles 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, two per bundle, spreading apart. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, cones and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other pines in Pennsylvania
Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), Table Mountain pine (Pinus pungens), Red pine (Pinus resinosa), Pitch pine (Pinus rigida), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), Austrian pine (Pinus nigra).
Questions
How do you identify Scots pine?
Look for needles in bundles, wrapped together at the base. Stout, twisted blue-green needles 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, two per bundle. Bark: Orange and peeling on young trees and in the upper crown; gray or red-brown ridges lower on old trunks.
Is Scots pine native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Scots pine as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
How big does Scots pine get?
Often a crooked or leaning trunk; up to about 90 feet.
What tree looks like Scots pine?
Virginia pine. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Pinus sylvestris fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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