Wood Species Guide
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris
Also called: Scotch Pine, European Redwood, Red Deal, Baltic Pine, Swedish Pine, Polish Pine, European Pine
About the name “Scots Pine”
In Europe this wood is sold as redwood or red deal, which has nothing to do with California redwood. In the US it is better known as the Scotch pine Christmas tree.
What Scots Pine looks like
Heartwood is a light reddish brown, and the sapwood is a creamy yellow. Slow-grown Scandinavian stock has tight, even rings.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a medium texture and clear growth rings. Knots are small and sound in good grades.
Working Scots Pine: planing, cutting and gluing
Easy to work with hand and power tools, though resin can gum up blades. It glues well and holds fasteners. Slow-grown stock planes very cleanly.
Finishing Scots Pine: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Seal knots with dewaxed shellac. Stain can blotch, so condition first or use gel stain. For epoxy, use kiln-dried wood and a seal coat, and expect the color to deepen toward amber.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Heartwood is moderately to slightly durable, and the sapwood rots quickly but takes preservatives well. In Florida it is an indoor wood, and termites will attack it.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Scots pine is the pine behind a lot of European furniture, flooring and the classic Scandinavian look. Imported European pine furniture and flooring is often this species. It is a solid budget choice for shelving and painted pieces. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Scots Pine
Furniture, flooring, joinery, construction lumber, utility poles, boxes and pulpwood.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
Pine dust and resin can irritate skin and airways. Scots pine resin is a well-known contact allergen in European woodworking, so heavy users can become sensitized.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask or respirator when sanding; gloves for pitchy boards
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Pine dust and resin can irritate skin and airways, and pine rosin is a known contact allergen. Use dust collection and a mask or respirator when sanding.
Scots Pine in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Scots Pine listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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