The ancient Caledonian forest that once covered much of Scotland was largely made up of Scots pine. Centuries of felling and lack of management quickly saw it disappear, much of it as early as the iron age and further coverage in times of war. The advent of tree farms of "exotic" species (such as faster, straighter-growing Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir from Western Canada and U.S.) and large herds of grazing deer have made it difficult for the indigenous Scots pine forest to become re-established, and it is reckoned that all but a fraction of a per cent of the original genetic Scots pine stock still exists. However, in some parts of scotland small pockets of protected forest are coming back slowly and gradually.
