The harmful impacts of wind disturbances are expected to increase in European forests more under relatively mild wind environments (e.g. North-East Europe) compared to harsh wind conditions (e.g. British Isles). They are also expected to increase particularly under loose soil conditions (e.g. organic soils). However, harmful impacts of wind disturbances may be mitigated by such adaptive management, which improves the mechanical stability of trees. Populations of widespread tree species, such as Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), are highly plastic in terms of morphology and ecology, resulting in geographic variation of the traits crucial also for tree mechanical stability. The aim of this study was to assess the regional differences in the resistance of Scots pine to wind loading between populations along the European West-East gradient of wind environments. Furthermore, the local differences between neighbouring stands on freely draining mineral and drained deep peat soils in Latvia were assessed. The loading resistance of Scots pine was consistent among the studied populations across the gradient of European wind environments, suggesting regional variation in adjustment of traits crucial for tree mechanical stability. Whereas Scots pines growing in neighbouring stands on freely draining mineral and drained deep peat exhibited differences in loading resistance, suggesting specific local acclimations. However, to account for genetic control over traits crucial for tree mechanical stability, loading resistance of Scots pine populations needs to be assessed in common gardens.