How do Scots pine trees survive light ground fires?

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Boreal forest in Alaska — Taiga Boreal forest, Alaska, U.S., dominated by spruce trees (*Picea*).

Scots pine trees (often referred to as Scotch pine) are well-adapted to the periodic light ground fires that historically occurred in the northern taiga forests of Europe.

The primary mechanism that allows mature Scots pine trees to survive these fires is their thick bark. This protective layer acts as an insulator, shielding the tree's vital internal tissues from the heat generated by low-intensity surface fires.1