Scots pine

Pinus sylvestris L.

Family: Pinaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance). Detail: NC State has no poison section for this plant, so no NC State severity or dermatitis fields are recorded

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page found for Pinus sylvestris. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 2a-7b per NC State Plant Toolbox; Red Deer lists it among plants of hardiness zone 3 or below (list-wide qualifier, not a plant-specific statement)
Light: Full sun per NC State and the Red Deer list.
Water needs: low low is a plain-language reading: NC State tags it drought tolerant, says it tolerates poor soils and dry sites, and lists drainage as good, moist or occasionally dry; Red Deer classes it dry to average. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: NC State: 30-60 ft tall and 30-40 ft wide; rapid growth

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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