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Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Scots pine (note: not scotch pine) is arguably the best of all pines for bonsai, combining the color of white pine with the vigor of black pine but without the over thick and heavy shoots. This is a hybrid variety, possibly one of the so-called "French blues" that are used for Christmas trees. The plant was originally grown in a back yard in Maine, and acquired by me in 2002.

The present pot is clearly too large but has served well as a training container. Dan Barton is currently making a new pot specifically for this tree.

See also the Workshop pages for details of this tree's development.

Photo: October 2006