Scots Pine in History and Folklore

All evergreens were considered symbols of life and immortality, especially the Scots Pine. Pinecones were considered representative of the male genitals and wereconsidered a masculine fertility symbol.
Flaming pine branches were whirled clockwise round the beds of mothers with newborn babies to purify and protect them.
Scots Pine was considered the King of the Forest and was the tree of heroes, chieftains and warriors. This was the tree that was planted on the graves of Scottish warriors who died in battle or were renowned in their time.
The Scots Pine is the tree that made up most of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest and when we visit the remnants of these ancient forests you can still feel the awesome power that struck fear into the hearts of our ancestors.
The resin from the tree was used as a healing ointment for boils and sores, the bark was used for fevers and the young buds for scurvy.
Pine resin was also added to paint, varnish and tar to make it more effective and the tar was often used for waterproofing and sealing the hulls of boats.
Pine logs were also used in boat building. These were always cut at the waxing moon when the sap of the tree was at its highest as this made the boat more buoyant and durable.
The roots of the pine tree were beaten and separated into thread like fibres and then spun like hemp to produce rope for tying boats. This particular rope was used for tying boats because, like the logs the rope made from the roots of the pine tree were extremely buoyant.