Plants

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Scots pine

Originally a native tree, we know from pollen found preserved in peat that Scots pine was once widespread in Ireland. It is believed that native Scots pine died out thousands of years ago and was then re-introduced from Scotland and other European countries.

It is the only tree that can colonise the open and windswept area of a bog. As bogs have been drained and cutover the surface has dried out and this has resulted in colonisation by Scots pine.

The timber has been used for a wide range of purposes from charcoal and telegraph poles to doors and floors.