Effects of soil temperature on gas exchange of Scots pine seedlings were studied to evaluate the significance of reduced gas exchange in seedlings planted in cold soils. The patterns of net photosynthesis during the 3‐week period at the two constant soil temperatures (8°C and 12°C) were quite similar but at 12°C the photosynthetic rate was higher. After U days differences were no more significant. Photosynthesis at the increasing soil temperature, from 5.5°C to 13°C, decreased for the first 18 days and then recovered up to the level of other treatments. The same patterns were found for transpiration, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic efficiency. Xylem pressure potentials and relative resistance to water flow after 3 weeks did not differ among soil temperatures. Initiation and development of current‐year needles affected all the results of gas exchange parameters.