Wednesday Street Tree #16

Scots pine

I found myself in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield at the weekend, where I encountered several Scots pines growing on the street. Well, perhaps it would be more accurate to say they were growing near streets. In truth, they were growing in beds which might be better described as SuDS (sustainable drainage systems) or rain gardens like this one outside the city’s iconic Crucible Theatre. These are small gardens that maximise the area of permeable surface to help deal with flooding in otherwise sealed built environments. Scots pines, indeed pines of any kind, are rarely planted in urban situations outside parks, and are particularly rare as street trees, so it was a pleasant surprise to see one in the city centre.

I am not sure of the reason for this, pines I think can make interesting urban trees: they are attractive, and evergreen so they provide interest throughout the year. Scots pines – recognisable by their gaunt silhouette, orange bark on higher branches and greeny-blue needles are one of the easier species to identify, but there are dozens that could be used. I have seen Austrian pines (Pinus nigra), and even Bhutan pines (P. wallichiana) but theye are even rarer.

If I were an urban forester rather than a mere arboreal commentator, I would make my 2025 resolution to plant more pines in the city.

What is it?

Scots pine
Pinus sylvestris

Where is it?

Tudor Square, Sheffield S1 2LA
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