The Scots Pine, sometimes called the Scotch Pine, is a great outdoor bonsai tree for those living in climate zones four through nine. This bonsai, scientifically called the pinus sylvestris, tends to naturally grow in what bonsai traditionalist call the bonsai literati style. This means its branches will spread horizontally without much need to guide them. This makes the Scots Pine a great beginner bonsai for those who are just getting started out or for those who like the look of a bonsai but don’t really understand how to grow them. The Scots Pine features reddish brown bark that is scaly to the touch. Over time, the bark turns grayer. The needles, which are stiff and often twist, also change color over time, starting out gray-green and shifting to blue-green. The Scots Pine grows small cones that are about the same size as the needles (one to three inches long).

 

There are many different growing and shaping styles for bonsai, and it’s important that you use the correct style with the correct tree. The bonsai literati style, as mentioned above, is perfect for the Scots Pine bonsai , but there are a few other styles you could use as well. It depends on what look you’re going for.

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