The role of stand and site characteristics in a 50‐year‐old, sowed Scots pine(Pinus sylvestrisL.) stand on the decline of Scots pine caused byGremmeniella abietinawas studied. Treewise damage of Scots pine was modelled using stand and site variables and stepwise regression analysis. The significant variables included in the model were stand elevation from the main cold air centre and the pH of the humus layer, while the other less significant variables were the number of stems per hectare of Scots pine and Norway spruce, content of Cu and Ni in the humus layer, and the thickness of the humus layer and the A2horizon. The studied variables excluded from the model were the number of broad‐leaved trees per hectare, Al and Pb contents in the humus layer, and Al, Cu, Pb and Ni contents in the A2horizon. The results strongly suggest that the vicinity of water as well as local depressions act as vulnerable sites for Scots pine and the said vulnerability is enhanced by increased pH of the humus layer.