Scots Pine Austrian (Pinus Sylvestris) 20 seeds (#207)

Scotch pine is a variable evergreen conifer native to the temperate Old World and widely cultivated as a plantation or Christmas tree in the U.S. and elsewhere. It typically forms a narrow (broadening with age), rather sparsely branched, medium-sized tree with orange-tinged bark on its upper trunk. Its stiff, slightly twisted needles often have an attractive bluish cast.
Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Trees grow well on poor dry sandy soils. Fairly shade tolerant. Prefers a light acid soil, becoming chlorotic at a pH higher than 6.5. Trees can succeed for many years on shallow soils over chalk. Tolerates chalk for a while, but trees are then short-lived. Tolerates some water-logging]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils. Established plants tolerate drought. Very wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. Fairly long-lived, to 200 years or more and quite fast growing, but trees are very slow growing in wet soils. Young trees can make new growth of 1 metre a year though growth slows down rapidly by the time the tree is 18 metres tall. This species is extensively used in cool temperate forestry as a timber tree. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Cones take two seasons to ripen. Plants are easily killed by fire and cannot regenerate from the roots. A good food plant for the caterpillars of several species of butterflies.
Information source ww.learn2grow.com.

Genus - Pinus
Species - Sylvestris
Common name - Scots Pine Austrian
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 7
Height - 30'-60' / 10 - 20 (40) m
Spread - 25'-40' / 8 - 12 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, Sand, Well Drained
Water requirements - Drought tolerant, average water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Leaf / Flower color - Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the seeds in a container with tepid water and soak them for 24 hours. Change the water and wait another 24 hours.
2. Put the seeds in a small plastic bag and cover with damp sand. Place the bag holding the seeds in the refrigerator for 1-2 months to stratify the seeds, which is preserving seeds in layers of moisture-laden peat, soil or sand. Check the sand and water as needed to maintain moisture. Don't allow the seeds to get soaked.
3. Fill small pots with compost. Place one or two pine seeds on top of the compost in each pot, then cover the seeds with 3 mm layer of sand.
4. Water the sand and compost to add moisture, then place the pots in a warm, sunny location. As the seedlings emerge and grow, the soil needs to remain moist, not wet.
5. Repot the pine trees into medium-sized pots in the fall. Grow them in the pots for the following season until they are large and strong enough for transplanting into the landscape.