Scots Pine

Description:

Pinus sylvestris is commonly known as a Scots Pine and is from the Pinaceae family. This individual tree is located on the Olds College Campus between the Bell E Learning Centre (West side) and Frank Grisdale Hall (East side) and is quite protected from the elements. The scaly bark is naturally orange-brown in colour and develops plates and fissures with age. There are horizontal rows of small, oval holes through the bark, this damage is created by a sapsucker. Sapsuckers, part of the woodpecker family, feed on pine trees by creating holes in the bark and cambium underneath. This can open the tree up to disease and insect infestations. Although, most sapsucker damage is not detrimental to a tree, an insect infestation can be.

Habitat:

Pinus sylvestris prefers full sunlight and acidic soils, but can tolerate dry conditions and urban environments much like where this particular pine tree is located. Sapsuckers usually only migrate through Alberta, and overwinter elsewhere, so damage made to the tree is rarely life threatening and would not cause girdling of the tree.

Notes:

I would recommend regularly watering the pine to keep it vigorous, which helps in sealing the wounds created by the sapsucker. If the tree is healthy it has a better chance of fending off insect attacks. Insects are known to infest on suffering and unhealthy trees. Serious damage can also be prevented by placing noisemakers and reflective devices in affected trees to ward off sapsuckers.