The maximum life expectancy is 500 (according to some sources 800-850) years.
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✪ Cedar pines
✪ Cedar. Pine Siberian. 32
✪ Coniferous plants: cedar pine, Weymouth pine, dwarf pine.
✪ Recipe for cedar tincture - Siberian
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When choosing plants for the site, we want them to be winter and frost-resistant, resistant to diseases and pests, do not require special treatment, be decorative throughout the year, grow quickly; so that the culture is durable and our descendants can be proud of the work of our hands and it’s not bad if the plant matches the new fashionable landscape trends. Didn't forget anything? Oh yes! I forgot! It would not be bad for it to bear fruit, giving tasty fruits. We shovel a mountain of literature, sit on various forums and specialized sites, and, in the end, our requirements gradually decrease, decrease ... and the very thought of such plants seems utopian. It seems to us that nothing like this can happen in our climate and we need to either say goodbye to this idea, or leave and set up a garden somewhere in sunny Italy, Spain, France ... But there is no need to despair, there are many types and varieties of plants that correspond to these requirements. In this article I will tell you about one of them. I want to introduce you to the cedar pine - a plant that we call "Cedar". If you look, then this is not one, but a group of plants. But, let's take it in order ... The following types are classified as cedar pines: Ermine pine, European cedar pine or European cedar, Korean cedar or Korean cedar pine, Siberian cedar pine or Siberian cedar. What do these plants have in common? Well, firstly, long dark green needles, collected 5 pieces in a bunch; secondly, the famous pine nuts. By the way, the seeds of all types of pines are edible, however, the seeds of cedar pines are of sufficient size for collection. Cedar pines are powerful large plants with a dense, beautiful crown. The exception is the cedar elfin, but it stands apart from the rest of the cedar pines. If I were asked which plant I consider absolutely winter- and frost-resistant, then cedar pines would undoubtedly be the first to come to mind. The artificial habitat of these plants is from the forest-steppe zone to the polar Kola Peninsula. Cedar pines calmly endure both low winter temperatures and high summer temperatures; sudden temperature changes and return frosts are not terrible for them. Therefore, in our region, these pines have found their second home. Starting from the age of 10, cedar pines do not actually require any intervention from us. Is it just to add mineral fertilizer once every three years, maybe arrange a shower in a particularly hot summer, well, keep track of Hermes and mealy worm. Also, with age, the cedar increases its annual growth - up to 50 cm. However, in young years, the cedar not only grows slowly (5-10 cm), but is also susceptible to various fungal diseases. During this period of its life, the cedar is very vulnerable. Young plants are extremely sensitive to soil acidity, alkaline and strongly acidic soil can lead to weakening of the seedling. Optimal acidity - pH 6-7. Also, young cedars need to be watered regularly and it is imperative to shower. It is worth remembering that root competition, compacted soil and, to a lesser extent, poor lighting can also lead to the death of a young seedling. Therefore, while the plant is small, we regularly weed weeds under it, make sure that the soil is breathable and, despite the fact that young cedars are shade-tolerant, we try to plant the plant in a sunny place. Once again, the older the cedar seedling, the easier it is to take care of it. However, you should not chase after large-sized plants - such seedlings are not cheap and planting them will not be very cheap. The optimal size of a cedar pine is up to 2-2.5 m. In general, I can talk about cedars indefinitely, admiring their beauty and decorativeness throughout the year. Remembering that this plant has long been a symbol of strength and health (cedar pine lives an average of 400 years and reaches 40 m), I want to say that cedar pines are not only suitable for our climate, but also ideal as a family tree. I want to remind you that the cedar pine is undoubtedly a "fruit" plant. In our climate, where the range of fruit crops is extremely limited, cedar can become part of the orchard. Yes, cedar pines are distinguished by late fruiting, in culture not earlier than 15-18 years old (in nature from 40 years old), yes, the seeds ripen within a year and a half, but believe me - it's worth it. The Japanese say: “Why do Russians need medicines when they have cedar pines?” And this is no accident, the seeds of cedar pine are rich in amino acids, most of which are essential acids. Cedar resin is also extremely valuable and irreplaceable. And what a decoction of needles ... Yes, if you list all the useful properties of this plant, then it will be enough for several articles! And, before moving on to the nuances of agricultural technology, I would also like to note that all cedar pines can be used for container gardening. That is, to grow both on balconies and loggias, and on open terraces. Well, now a few words about the agricultural technology of cedar pines. The basic rules for planting are no different from planting any other plant, but there are a few points that will allow you to end up with a beautiful and healthy seedling. 1. It must be remembered that a feature of the mineral nutrition of Cedar pines is a strong need for potassium. Excess nitrogen in the soil has a depressing effect on the development of its root system. Based on this, we do not abuse nitrogen fertilizers, but at least once every couple of years we add potash fertilizers. 2. Be sure to mulch the plant and add a layer of mulch every year. First, pine and larch mulch will promote the formation of adventitious roots. Let me remind you that adventitious roots enhance the nutrition of the plant and accelerate its growth. Secondly, do not forget that cedar pines are mycotrophic plants. That is, the absence of mycorrhiza on the roots can serve as one of the main reasons for poor growth and premature death of the plant, and mulch in every possible way contributes to the development of mycorrhiza. Thirdly, a layer of mulch retains moisture in the upper soil layer, which is especially important when growing cedar on light sandy loam, and on heavy clay soil it protects its root system from being squeezed out in winter. And, fourthly, weeds under mulch slow down their growth. 3. When planting, you need to remember that cedar is a powerful plant and the minimum planting step is 3-4 m. 4. It must be remembered that the root system of cedar pine needs air, so the soil must be absolutely breathable. By following these simple rules, you will get a healthy, beautiful plant that will become the decoration and pride of your garden for many years to come!
Name
In Russia, the plant gained fame at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries under the name "Siberian cedar", although from a scientific point of view this species belongs to the genus Pine and is a close relative of the common pine, and not real cedars (Lebanese, Atlas and Himalayan).
Botanical description
Siberian cedar is an evergreen tree 20-25 (40) m tall. It is distinguished by a dense, often multi-topped crown with thick branches. The trunk is straight, even brown-gray, in old trees it forms a fissured scaly bark. Branching is whorled. Shoots of the last year are brown, covered with long red hairs.
Nutcracker and chipmunk play an important role in seed dispersal.
Distribution and ecology
Siberian cedar is often confused with Korean cedar, Siberian cedar and European cedar.
Consortative ties
Between Siberian cedar and nutcracker ( Nucifraga caryocatactes ) mutually beneficial interspecies consortium bonds have historically developed. Cedar seeds serve as the main food for the nutcracker and, as a result, in the course of evolution this was reflected in the structure of some of its organs and lifestyle, and the instinct of the nutcracker to store food for the winter turned out to be useful for the natural renewal of the cedar and the formation of stone pine forests. Creating reserves of cedar seeds, the nutcracker hides them in small (up to 30 nuts) portions in numerous places, more or less evenly located on uncovered and forested areas in the upper soil horizons and in the moss cover. Due to this, in places where the seeds of the nutcracker were lost or not used for any other reason, single or group seedlings of the cedar are formed.
In addition to the nutcracker, chipmunk, squirrel, sable, bear, woodpecker, nuthatch, etc. feed on Siberian cedar seeds, but they cannot be called obligate consorts of cedar: in the diet of these animals, cedar seeds are not mandatory. only sable ( Martes zibellina L.), for normal life and reproduction, a certain amount of seeds of this breed is required.
Among animals feeding on other parts of the cedar (needles, wood, bast, etc.), obligate consorts are apparently absent. There are no obligate consorts in Siberian pine, probably among fungi, including those forming mycorrhiza. Although Siberian pine is a highly mycotrophic plant and cannot grow in the absence of mycorrhiza, mycorrhizal fungi associated only with Siberian pine have not yet been identified. So far, only one thing is known: the cedar develops mycorrhiza with the same types of fungi as other forest-forming species.
Chemical composition
Oxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic phenolic acids were found in the bast.
The chemical composition of the oleoresin of the Siberian cedar changes when climbing the mountains: the content of α-pinene decreases (from 50.5% to 39.1%) and the amount of Δ3-carene and β-phellandrene increases, respectively, from 27.6% to 39.5% and from 6.4 to 8.4%.
Siberian pine needles contain 0.8-1.05% essential oil. α-pinene (56.6-63.2%), β-pinene (0.95-1.38%), β-phellandrene (0.78-1.71%), limonene (0. 97-2.03%), germacren-D (10.8-15.8%), cadinenes (5.7-8.4%), β-myrcene, cis-β-ocimene (0.46%), α-terpinene, pair-cymene, γ-terpinene, α-terpinolene, α-thuyene, camphene, sabinene, Δ3 carene, α-bisabolene, β-bizabolene, α- and β-caryophyllenes, bornylacetate, etc.
The needles of the cedar growing in the Novosibirsk region contain trace elements: manganese 756 mg/kg, iron 151 mg/kg, boron 13 mg/kg, zinc 12.6 mg/kg, molybdenum 2.6 mg/kg, copper 2.5 mg /kg.
The kernel contains amino acids - alanine 5.37 g/100 g of protein, arginine, aspartic acid, histidine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, tyrosine, serine, cystine, including essential ones: lysine 5.74 g/100 g of protein , methionine 1.6, tryptophan 1.23, valine 3.39, leucine + isoleucine 15, threonine 3.1, phenylalanine 6.47. Nut oil contains fatty acids: myristic 0.1-1.26%, palmitic 3.6-7.26%, palmitooleic 0.04-1.19%, stearic 1.77-4.86%, oleic 19, 9-26.3%, linoleic 38.8-46.7%, linolenic 18.9-23.7%, arachidic 0.28-1.64%, eicosadiene 0.58-1.24%, eicosatriene 0, 94-1.35%.
19 amino acids have been identified in nut kernel proteins, 70% of which are essential or conditionally essential. Free amino acids found 18, dominated by glutamic acid, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, proline, tyrosine, alanine. The kernel of nuts contains essential amino acids threonine 0.24-0.31%, valine 0.44-1.05%, methionine 0.14-0.39%, isoleucine 0.39-0.88%, leucine 0.69 -1.33%, lysine 0.35-0.78%, phenylalanine 0.35-0.81%, tryptophan. In terms of the content of phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, arginine and tryptophan, pine nut proteins are not inferior to the proteins of the main cereals and oilseeds, and in terms of the content of individual amino acids (cystine and tryptophan), nut proteins approach the proteins of dairy products, surpassing them in arginine content. Pine nut amino acids, due to their specific composition, not only provide the structural-plastic and regulatory function of proteins, but also participate in the prevention of certain metabolic disorders in the human body.
The kernel of nuts contains mono- and disaccharides 2.57-4.92%, dextrins 2.08-2.53%, starch 5.26-6.11%. The kernel of nuts contains riboflavin 0.93-1.2 mg%, thiamine 0.24-0.66 mg%, tocopherols 9.2-32.8 mg%, vitamins B3, B5, B6 are also found. By the content of tocopherols, thiamine and riboflavin, pine nuts are significantly superior to other nuts. Found in nut kernels ascorbic acid 64 mg%. Nuts serve as a rich source of magnesium, which is necessary for normalizing cholesterol metabolism, preventing stone formation and reducing the excitability of the nervous system. Nut kernel contains iron 1.8-4.2 mg%, magnesium 244-440 mg%, zinc 0.85-2.1 mg%, iodine 0.03-0.07 mg%, silver 0.003-0.006 mg%. The content of fatty oil in the kernel of the nut varies depending on the degree of maturity, the zone of growth of the plant and can reach 63-66%.
Pine nuts collected in the Irkutsk region contain iodine 0.387-0.741 mg/kg, manganese 5.43-15.15 mg/kg, cobalt 0.107-0.197 mg/kg, copper 2.18-3.816 mg/kg, nickel 0.046 -0.073 mg/kg. Especially valuable is the high content of iodine, manganese and copper. The content of trace elements in nuts may vary depending on the year of collection by 15-60%.
The kernel of pine nuts contains fatty oil 56-63%, protein 17-23%, carbohydrates 10-14%, phosphatides 0.65-1.12%. Contains macroelements: calcium 16-20 mg%, magnesium 200-260 mg%, microelements - iodine 0.38-0.74 mg/kg, manganese 7-15.1 mg/kg, iron 7-18 mg/kg, cobalt , copper and nickel; vitamin E 9.24-10.9 mg%. Cedar oil contains vitamin E - 27.6 mg%, vitamin B1 0.51-0.66 mg%. The iodine number of cedar oil is 155-169. The nut kernel contains pentosans 2.1%, starch 12.4%. In fatty oil oleic acid 33.7-35.8%, linoleic acid 31.1-34.3%, linolenic 20.6-27.7%.
Pine nuts contain macronutrients (mg per 100 g of dry kernels): phosphorus 486-716, magnesium 396-488, potassium 350-403, calcium 35-49, iron 2-3.8; trace elements (mg per 1 kg of dry kernel): manganese 5.1-9.7, copper 1.5-3.1, silicon 2.1-3.1, iodine 0.38-0.71, silver 0.028-0.071 , as well as molybdenum, boron, nickel, cobalt, zinc, etc. Compared with other nut crops common in Russia, Siberian pine nuts are distinguished by a high content of phosphorus and especially magnesium. One hundred grams of the pine nut kernel fully satisfies the daily human need for magnesium, 200 g of the kernel - for phosphorus.
The kernel of pine nuts contains carbohydrates (%): glucose 2-3.8, fructose 0.14-0.3, sucrose 0.23-0.71, dextrins 2.1-2.5, starch 5.2-6 .11, pentosans 1.72-2.11; oil 59.2-66.3, nitrogenous substances 2.8-3.3, phosphatides 1.16-1.41 (by their number, pine nuts surpass the fruits of other nut crops and oilseeds). Cedar oil contains (%) linoleic acid 50.8-67, linolenic 14.9-27.4, oleic 10.4-22.3; tocopherols 47.8-68.2 mg%, including α-tocopherol 25.2-34.4 mg%, γ-tocopherol 5.8-6.6 mg%, δ-tocopherol 16.8-26.2 mg %.
Siberian pine seeds contain condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins), hydrolysable tannins (derivatives of gallic and ellagic acids), flavonoids (eriodictyol, taxifolin), epicatechin, lilac and vanillic acids, as well as small amounts of catechin, protocatechuic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, naringenin and others
17 fatty acids were found in the pine nut kernel: myristic 0.7%, palmitic 6.4-7.6%, palmitooleic 0.08-0.3%, stearic 3.2-4%, oleic 21.7-26, 2%, linoleic (ω6) 38.4-44.3%, γ-linolenic (ω6) 16.8-18.7%, α-linolenic (ω3) 0.31-0.45%, eicosadiene (ω6) 0.6-0.7%, eicosatriene (ω6) 1.2%, etc.
The fatty oil of pine nuts contains 5-11% saturated acids, oleic 10.4-26.5%, linoleic 38.8-59.1%, γ-linolenic 14.8-24.4%, α-linolenic 0.15- 1.35%, eicosadienic 0.58-1.24%, eicosatriene 0.94-1.35%. Pine nut oil contains tocopherols up to 58-70 mg% (all α, β, γ, δ isomers are present). The composition of the fatty oil varies greatly depending on the zone of growth of the cedar pine. So, in the Irkutsk region, the content of linoleic acid in oil is 50.8-61.4%, linolenic 14.9% - 27.4%, and in the Novosibirsk region, respectively, 53.9-67% and 17.6-25, 2%, Tomsk region 40.4-44.5% and 18.2-21.9%. With an increase in geographical latitude, an increase in the amount of tocopherols in cedar oil is observed. So, in Siberian pine from the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the amount of tocopherols in walnut oil is 49.6 mg%, in Gorny Altai 35.1-67.1 mg%, in the Irkutsk region 47.8-64.6 mg%, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug 40-121 mg%. In most regions, the main isomer is α-tocopherol (from 50.5 to 61.2% of the total amount of tocopherols).
Pharmacological properties
Pine nut oil normalizes the lipid spectrum of the blood, lowers cholesterol levels, helps to reduce excess body weight. A number of physiological effects of cedar oil are associated with the presence of identified terpenes in it.
Economic importance and application
Cedar wood is soft, light and durable, with a pleasant smell, highly valued, used, in particular, for the production of pencils. The wood has a beautiful texture, shades from pink and light beige to pale chocolate and dark brown. It does not give in to moisture and is not corroded by bugs, it is almost not subject to decay, wormholes. Easily amenable to various types of processing, it is very well planed, polished and dries with virtually no cracking. Due to these properties, cedar wood is in demand in the manufacture of furniture, crafts, housing construction, and interior decoration. Wood has resonant properties; pianos, harps, guitars are made from it.
The stock of timber in middle-aged cedar forests is 260-560 m³/ha.
In traditional crafts, in addition to wood, thin cedar roots are used. Vessels of various shapes and sizes are woven from them - rhizomes.
Pine nuts are a valuable food product that can be eaten both raw and after heat treatment. In terms of the amount of phosphatide phosphorus, pine nuts surpass all other types of nuts and oilseeds and are equivalent to soybeans, the richest source of lecithin among vegetable raw materials. The daily human need for such deficient trace elements as manganese, copper, zinc and cobalt is provided by 100 g of nut kernels. They are also a rich source of iodine. Among carbohydrates, cedar seeds contain (%): starch - 5.80; glucose - 2.83; dextrins - 2.26; fiber - 2.21. Fructose and sucrose make up only 0.25 and 0.44%. Pine nut protein is characterized by a high content of lysine, methionine and tryptophan - the most deficient essential amino acids, which usually limit the biological value of proteins.
The yield of nuts in various types of cedar forests of Western Siberia is from 10 to 640 kg / ha (broad-grass cedar forests are the most productive, sphagnum - low-yielding).
Application in medicine
Pine nut oil is a complete source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). To meet the daily requirement of essential fatty acids, you need to consume about 20 ml of oil per day. It has a cholesterol-lowering effect, contributes to the normalization of the lipid spectrum of blood (HDL cholesterol levels increased by 29%, and LDL levels decreased by 21%, the atherogenic index decreased by 40%), lowering systolic blood pressure and reducing overweight.
Crushed pine nuts inhibit gastric secretion, the production of gastric juice decreases and its acidity decreases. One hundred grams of pine nuts covers the daily human need for vitamin E.
The preventive efficacy of cedar oil was confirmed when it was included in the diet of patients with cardiovascular pathology.
Use for other purposes
It is possible to produce confectionery products enriched with protein products from Siberian pine nut kernels, which can be recommended for functional and therapeutic nutrition. On the basis of cedar oil, formulations of three-component mixtures of vegetable oils have been developed, optimized in terms of the composition of acids ω-3 and ω-6 and intended for functional nutrition. Combined products with cedar cake have been developed: cheeses, mayonnaises, confectionery pastes, instant cereals, food concentrates - semi-finished flour confectionery products, bakery products.
Genetics
In 2014, studies were carried out on the polymorphism of Siberian stone pine at five loci (RPS-124, RPS-90, PTTX-2123, PTTX-2146, PICO) with a primer annealing temperature of 55 ˚C. The analysis showed that according to RPS-124, RPS-90, PTTX-2123 the level of variability is small, the trees are monomorphic, however, according to PTTX-2146, a third allelic variant was identified, which is typical for Siberian pine, which indicates the likelihood of distant hybridization. The highest level of genetic polymorphism shows
Cedar belongs to a large family of Pine, genus - Cedar, or Siberian Cedar Pine. This genus is of particular interest because of the universal value of wood, needles and seeds. Cedar is also in demand in landscaping.
Cedar in the photo
The cedar tree looks like a real giant: it has a powerful trunk, reaching a height of 25 to 45 m, depending on the species.
Unlike Scots pine, the needles of the cedar are surprisingly soft, long, triangular, collected in whorls of 5-6 pieces. And in a pine - two and very rarely - three needles.
Shoots of two types - elongated vegetative and shortened generative. The tree is monoecious. Male kidneys - in the form of spikelets, looking up, red or yellow. Female - cones of 2-4 pieces - are at the top of the shoot and have a purple color.
The description of cedar roots is akin to the tree itself: the root system is as powerful as the aerial part, which allows the plant to endure all natural disasters and be unpretentious in culture. An adult cedar does not need agrotechnical care.
Its antimicrobial properties are also very valuable. The air around these trees is practically sterile. Many cedars have been planted by amateurs in summer cottages, household plots and garden plots in the central zone of Russia. It cannot grow in dry sandy places, but prefers sandy or loamy, moist, fertile soils.
Almost all types of cedar pines in forest plantations begin to bear fruit at 30-60 years, sometimes later, and in gardens where care and fertilization are carried out in a timely manner, at 15-20 years and continue to bear fruit up to 250-300 years. A good harvest of large pine nuts occurs in those areas where 2-3 cedars grow in a group, since conifers are cross-pollinated trees. The seed development cycle of cedar lasts one and a half years.
Four types of cedar grow in Russia - Siberian, European, Korean and Siberian elfin.
With varieties of cedars and their photos you can find on this page.
Growing cedar from seeds and tree care
To give the garden a finished mature look, you need to plant an evergreen, long-lived tree. With its appearance, the cedar will give your estate solidity and power, confidence and optimism. In addition, this tree does not require systematic care. When growing and caring for cedar, forget about pruning, crown formation, and cleaning of fallen leaves.
Cedar is not only beautiful, but also useful. It heals the air with the aroma of pine needles.
It is necessary to plant seedlings on the site immediately on a permanent well-lit place at a distance of 5-6 m from each other. Between young cedars, you can grow undersized fruit trees and berry bushes. The crown should be formed on a low trunk, sprawling, multi-topped. Pruning or breaking out of the lateral buds is carried out in early spring, before the start of the growing season. Successfully established trees in the first years give 5-10 cm of growth with dark green needles.
The place for this tree should be open and extensive, the soil should be loamy, drained.
Video: How to grow Cedar seedlings
Germination of nuts is stored for 2 years. Immediately after collection, it is quite high, at 85%. It is better to sow in autumn. Shoots appear in this case in early spring. But you can stratify the nuts in wet sand, soak for a day and sow in the spring. Seedlings appear 2-3 weeks after sowing. They are dark green, with 10-12 cotyledons, up to 30 mm long. In the second year, paired needles appear from them, and only in the 4-5th year - whorls. The plants that have emerged from the shoots need a shade that lasts all the hot months for 2-3 years, that is, for the cedar that you decide to grow, you need to equip a tent.
The growth characteristics of cedar include the ability to grow in sphagnum bogs, and powerful adventitious roots are formed. Root growth begins simultaneously with the growth of shoots. Already after 5-6 years, the exactingness of the cedar to the soil decreases sharply.
Cedar is also undemanding to air temperature. It tolerates continental climate, frost and drought. The only thing is that buds can die during late spring frosts, which coincide in time with the flowering period.
However, this threatens trees that have already begun to bear fruit, which will happen only at the age of 30 or more. You have to wait a long time for the appearance of nuts, but the tree itself can live up to 500 years, giving abundant harvests every 4-5 years.
Siberian cedar in the photo
Siberian cedar- the most common and best studied. Its distribution area is extensive. Starting from the northeast of the European part to the southern slopes of the Urals, this species is an unshakable native, growing both in the lowlands and on the mountains. In Central Altai, it grows at an altitude of 2300-2400 m above sea level.
The crown is conical from a young age, and then becomes flat-topped. It can be both sharp-pyramidal and wide-spread. It all depends on the place of growth. In groups, in the forest, with a small feeding area, cedars are elongated upwards, and when planted alone, they are sprawling, have 2-3 peaks.
As you can see in the photo, the branching of the Siberian cedar is strictly whorled, longline:
Annual shoots are yellowish with a rusty coating, pubescent. The needles are trihedral, up to 13 cm long, serrated along the edge and sit in bunches of 5 pieces on shortened shoots. The needles remain on the branches for 3-6 years.
Cedar blossoms in spring, immediately after pine, and cones ripen in autumn, the next year after flowering. They do not crack, fall to the ground.
Pay attention to the cedar cones - in a mature tree they are very picturesque (light brown, elongated ovoid, up to 13 cm long and 8 cm wide):
There are from 100 to 140 nuts in a cone - shiny, dark brown and very tasty.
The taste of nuts was appreciated by the inhabitants of the forest, the cedar taiga. Nuts are the main food of the nutcracker, which often destroys up to half of the crop. From one tree you can get up to 1500 cones.
But thanks to the nutcracker, the cedar breeds. The bird takes nuts to long distances, hiding them in moss, old stumps, forgets and loses them. Nuts sprout, and thus the territory of cedar growth expands.
In addition to nutcrackers, capercaillie, hazel grouse, squirrels, chipmunks, and sables eat nuts. The bear is also a hunter for delicious nuts in the taiga. He often climbs into the crown of a tree, breaks it, causing great harm.
Video: Collecting cones on a cedar
When describing the Siberian cedar, special attention should be paid to the chemical composition of its nuts - they explain the reason for such a high popularity of this tree. Pine nuts contain up to 61% fat, up to 17% protein, more than 12% starch. Pine nuts are rich in vitamin A (vitamin of growth), B vitamins, which improve cardiac activity and are very necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. They are especially rich in vitamin E (tocopherol, which in Greek means “I bear offspring”). It is not for nothing that during the years of good harvests of cedar, the fertility of sable and squirrel increases significantly.
It is known that pine nuts contain substances that improve blood composition, prevent tuberculosis, anemia.
From a kilogram of nuts, you can get up to 150 g of oil and 200 g of cake for pet food.
Cedar oil is one of the highest quality. It belongs to fatty drying oils. Light yellow in color and pleasant in taste, the oil is in demand not only in the food industry, but also in the paint and varnish industry, in perfumery, medicine, and canning.
Walnut milk and cream are made from nuts, which are high in calories.
Siberian cedar needles have essential oils, resins and vitamin C. It contains a lot of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, cobalt. When cutting growing cedars, cedar resin is obtained containing up to 19% turpentine.
Gum has embalming properties. In folk medicine, it is used to treat purulent wounds, cuts, burns.
In relation to light, the Siberian cedar is shade-tolerant, especially when young, when growth is slow. Despite the fact that it is a close relative of the light-loving pine, light is not decisive for an adult tree either.
European cedar in the photo
European cedar is a close species to the Siberian cedar. It grows wild in the mountains - the Carpathians and the Alps at an altitude of 1300-2500 m above sea level. There, together with larch and spruce, it forms impenetrable thickets.
Its height reaches 20-25 m. The crown is always wide, ovoid. The needles are thin, graceful, short. Cones from 6-8 cm long, nut seeds are also not as large as those of the Siberian cedar.
When describing the European cedar, it is especially worth noting its great endurance, it is frost-resistant and shade-tolerant, drought- and wind-resistant, not picky about soils and air humidity. But it does not have the advantages inherent in the Siberian cedar.
As shown in the photo, European cedar is often used in landscaping:
In Europe, this species is popular as a solitary plant (tapeworm) in parks.
Korean cedar in the photo
Korean cedar is the most majestic tree. By the beauty of the description, the Korean cedar is not inferior to any of the known species. This tree reaches 45 m in height and 2 m in diameter with a wide-conical and multi-peaked crown.
Young shoots with dense rusty pubescence. The needles are bluish-green, up to 20 cm long. Along the edge, it is finely serrated, rough, not similar to the needles of other species. It stays on the shoots for only 2 years.
The male spikelets of the Korean cedar are yellow, and the female cones are first reddish, then purple. Blooms in June.
Pay attention to the photo - the Korean cedar has ripe cylindric cones, 10-15 cm long, larger than the Siberian species.
They ripen in the second year after flowering. They fall to the ground without opening in November.
The seeds are twice as large as those of the Siberian cedar and contain more fat - up to 65%.
It bears fruit from 40-50 years of age to extreme old age in 1-2 years. But the number of cones on the tree is much less than that of the Siberian cedar. Seed germination lasts only a year, although it is 85%. They should be sown in the fall. Shoots appear the next year in early spring. They are with 10-14 juicy cotyledons.
According to the taste of nuts, needles - in terms of the content of vitamin C and wood - in terms of technical properties it is not inferior to Siberian cedar.
It is difficult to include low, creeping species in the family of tall, mighty cedars, nevertheless, they exist.
Cedar elfin in the photo
Cedar elfin- a low branching shrub with branches creeping along the ground, and sometimes a tree up to 4-5 m in height. The shoots are densely pubescent, the needles are stiff, up to 4-8 cm long, 5 needles in a bunch. The female cones are violet-purple.
As you can see in the photo, the pine elfin has mature cones up to 4 cm long, light brown, shiny:
Nuts, which are up to 40 pieces in a cone, are smaller than those of Siberian cedar, but they are also edible and tasty, although they contain less oil. Fruiting begins from 25-30 years.
Elfin grows slowly, everywhere - on the mountains and coasts, swamps and lowlands. Very winter hardy. An interesting fact that is worth noting when describing the cedar dwarf pine is that this plant has the property of “laying down for the winter”, that is, the branches hibernate on the ground, covered with snow. Begins to vegetate only in spring. Propagated by seeds, layering, adventitious roots. It is valued as a nut and decorative culture for rock gardens.
himalayan cedar recently gained popularity in Europe. It is more of a decorative form than a view. It has falling paws-branches and a protruding top. The tree grows quickly, but is never taller than 25 m.
Himalayan cedar in the photo
Atlas cedar, or blue, is also a decorative form. Particularly noteworthy are its forms "Weeping" and "Golden". All these trees are not tall, but very sprawling, requiring a lot of space.
A few years ago, I planted several seedlings of Siberian cedar on the site. Not everyone took root, and I began to look for the reason why the seedlings have poor survival and what to do to increase it. I found a lot of tips, thanks to which giant giants flaunt on the site.
Suitable for single and group landings
Krutiny Siberian cedar. Photo: navro.orgWhat does cedar look like?
- Evergreen tree with soft and long needles from the Pine family is called the Siberian Cedar (lat. Pínus sibírica). In the wild, the plant grows in Siberia, the Crimea, the Caucasus, Altai, the Urals. Of particular value are not only trees as a building material, but also nuts containing a large number of trace elements and vitamins.
- Giant with a powerful trunkreaching a height of more than 40 m and a complex root system with adventitious roots, is a landmark of the habitats. A distinctive feature is the plastic needles, collected in bundles of 6 needles. The tree is monoecious, male buds and female cones are formed on one plant, pollination occurs with the help of wind.
- Cedar begins to bear fruit at the age of 30-60 years. High yields are shown by trees that grow in groups, between which cross-pollination occurs. The seed ripening period lasts one and a half years, and the life span of a tree reaches 800 years.
- Oil and milk are prepared from pine nuts. Pine needles are used to prepare many different tinctures and extracts used in traditional medicine, and healing ointments are prepared from resin. The Siberian type of cedar is of great importance for the food industry. Cedar oil has the most valuable beneficial properties for the human body.
Flowering cedar. Photo: zelenyjmir.ru
Types of cedar
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Atlas
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Lebanese
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Short coniferous representative of Cyprus
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Himmalaya
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Propagate by seeds and cuttings
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Step 1. Growing from seeds
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Step 2. Growing from cuttings
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Step 3. Transfer from the forest to the site
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Plant in a hole and water intensively
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Step 1. Site preparation
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Step 2 Landing
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Step 3. How to water properly
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Step 4. Fertilizer for cedar
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Step 5. When to form a crown
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Ways to fight:
- a white coating of a pathogenic fungus appears on the root trunk, which deprives the trunk of nutrition;
- for destruction, clean the affected area from the grips of the healthy part of the plant. Process the cut with a pitch;
- with a strong defeat of the whole tree, it will have to be removed from the site
Ways to fight:
- the reason why the needles of the cedar turn yellow can be the attack of Hermes, which feeds on the juice of the needles;
- the affected shoots should be cut off, and the tree should be treated with tobacco infusion, with soapy water or Karbofos
Cedar is a coniferous evergreen tree of the Pine family. Cedar has a pyramidal or umbrella-shaped spreading crown and a slender trunk with cracking dark gray scaly bark. The root system of the cedar is superficial, so it is often subjected to windblows.
Needle-shaped cedar needles, hard and prickly, three- or four-sided, silver-gray and blue-green. They are collected in bundles of 30 pieces. On elongated or shortened shoots, they are arranged singly or in a spiral. Cedar needles live from 3 to 6 years.
Cedar blossoms in autumn. Female and male cones are located throughout the crown. Male cones are solitary, surrounded by bunches of needles, and female cones are 10 cm long and about 6 cm wide. The shape of the cones resemble an egg or a barrel, 10 cm long and 6 cm wide, erect, solitary, ripen in the 2nd year, then crumble. Seed flakes broadly kidney-shaped. Seeds 12-18 mm long, resinous, triangular, with a wing.
Cedar is a giant plant. It can reach a height of about 60 meters, and their crown diameter is about 3 m. In addition, this giant is also a long-liver: its life expectancy is 3000 years.
As a rule, cedar grows in the mountains at an altitude of about 1500-3600 m, forming forests with fir, spruce, oak and pine.
There are only 4 types of cedar. In Africa, the Atlas cedar grows - a large tree about 60 m in height with a pyramidal crown, with silver-gray or bluish-green needles. In Syria, Lebanon, you can find the Lebanese cedar. In Cyprus, the Cypriot short coniferous cedar grows, but some scientists consider it a subspecies of the Lebanese cedar. In youth, the crown of the Cypriot cedar is cone-shaped, in mature age it is sprawling, in old age it is umbrella-shaped.
Some specimens of this coniferous tree reach a height of about 40 m. Its shoots are slightly pubescent or bare, tetrahedral green needles, 5-10 mm long. Cypriot cedar has single light brown barrel-shaped cones, from 6 cm long and 4 cm in diameter. In the Western Himalayas, the Himalayan cedar grows - a tree more than 50 m high with a pyramidal crown and gray-green needles.
Cedar is a tree healer. All parts of this tree have medicinal properties.
In addition to the called true cedars, on almost all continents there are many tree species that the locals call cedar. They can also be deciduous trees. In Africa, this is Thompson's guard, which is called fragrant cedar, in Asia it is Burmese cedar. In Russia, Siberian cedar pine is called Siberian cedar.
Landing and care
Cultivation of cedar is a very difficult matter. For example, in summer, he needs regulated watering - without drying out and without stagnant water.
Under natural conditions, cedars do not grow in the northern latitude, because these trees are very thermophilic.
Cedar loves fresh, well-drained, loamy soils. It does not tolerate maritime winds very well, and also suffers from chlorosis on dry calcareous slopes.
It is best to plant in early spring (before bud break) or autumn (after leaf fall). The place for the cedar should be spacious and open, light, because this tree likes to grow in sunny and free areas.
When transplanting cedar, seedlings of 9 years of age are more reliable. They need to be dug up with a clod of earth and transferred to the landing site, after wrapping the clod with a film or cloth. Landing pits must be prepared in advance. Mix the excavated soil with fertilizers (humus, peat, rotted manure, wood ash).
Under natural conditions, cedar reproduces by seeds. In culture, it is propagated by grafting.
More than 130 species of insects have been counted that harm cedars. The most significant damage is caused by: - cone moth. Method of struggle: spray the plant at the beginning of flowering with Lepidocide. Repeat treatments in a week.
The variegated red rot of the trunk caused by the pine sponge causes great harm to the old cedar.
The roots of cedar are affected by the root sponge, which contributes to the windfall of trees. A tree with an affected trunk must be removed from the site.
To protect cedars from diseases and pests, it is necessary to use biological and chemical methods to combat them, buy only highly immune forms of trees, and also create normal conditions for their growth.
Silvery and blue forms of cedar are very often used to decorate gardens and parks. Currently, in the Crimea, as well as in the Caucasus, cedar is also used in forest plantations.
In particular, the drought-resistant Lebanese cedar is used in park construction in Central Asia, the Atlas cedar - in the Crimea. The cedar looks great in groups, stands out against the background of other plants with the contours of its crown and green needles. The cedar looks even more attractive in single plantings, and when creating avenue plantings.
Types and varieties of cedar
The wood of this cedar is very resinous, fragrant and durable. It is used in the furniture industry.
It occurs naturally in North Africa. It grows together with holm oak, stinking juniper and Aleppo pine in the lower belt of mountains; already higher, the Atlas cedar forms pure plantations.
Tree about 40 m tall, with a pyramidal, loose crown, stiff bluish-green needles and ovoid or cylindrical, shiny, dense, light brown cones. In youth, the Atlas cedar grows faster, in the spring it starts growing late. Atlas cedar is frost-resistant, withstands temperature drops of about -20 ° C, is very photophilous, dust-resistant. Poorly tolerates lime in the soil. Suffering from waterlogging. Has a number of decorative forms.
In nature, it grows in the Himalayas, Afghanistan.
Tree about 50 m tall, with a broadly cone-shaped crown. In mature trees, the crown is flat on top, with ramifications on the branches. Young shoots are pubescent. The Himalayan cedar has needles with a bluish tint, light green, longer than other species, in bunches. Cones 10 cm, ovoid, bluish when young, then red-brown.
A durable, fast growing cedar species. It tolerates shading well, likes high humidity of the soil and air. Undemanding to soils. Tolerates temperatures down to -25°C. Doesn't like windfall.
Himalayan cedar, as well as its forms, like a very beautiful tree, deserve wide use in the south of Russia in park construction. It looks great in group plantings, standing out in contrast with the characteristic contours of its crown and green needles. It also looks impressive in single plantings, when creating alley plantings. It tolerates a haircut perfectly, forming original hedges. Himalday cedar forms mixed forests with spruce, fir, pine, and oak. This cedar is especially valued in landscape plantings in the south of Russia. It is the most valuable breed in the Southern Crimea.
It grows naturally in Asia Minor.
Tree about 40 m tall. In youth, the crown is wide-spread, cone-shaped, in adulthood - umbrella-shaped. Shoots slightly pubescent or glabrous. The needles are dark green, about 4 cm, tetrahedral, hard, in bunches of 40 pcs.
Cones are light brown, solitary, 10 cm long, about 5 cm in diameter, barrel-shaped. It grows very slowly, photophilous and frost-resistant. Drought-resistant, undemanding to soils. Durable.
A majestic, beautiful tree, characterized by mighty growth, dense branching and a large trunk. Excellent in single plantings.
Its wood is strong and fragrant, quite soft and light. Due to this, its wood is used in shipbuilding, in construction, and for the manufacture of furniture.
Cedar is a rare guest in the Central Russian expanses, which is why questions often arise about how a tree looks and what features it has. But in the field of landscape design, this coniferous giant has practically no competitors - its majesty attracts attention and allows you to set the tone for the entire composition. The Lebanese cedars mentioned in ancient manuscripts, the relic cedars of the Crimea and the unique alpine groves of the Himalayas - all of them have become real sights and today attract thousands of tourists to their places of growth.
Before deciding to buy a seedling from a nursery, it is worthwhile to study the features of this unique plant in as much detail as possible. Only in this case the tree will feel good and become a true decoration of the site.
What does it look like?
The evergreen cedar tree belongs to the Pinaceae family, the genus Cedrus and is a real record holder among centenarians. On average, a tree lives from 500 to 1000 years, reaching a height of about 40-50 m. The maximum height is reached by an adult plant, in the absence of favorable conditions for growth, it remains rather undersized. The root system of a tree, according to the botanical description, largely depends on the type of soil and growing conditions. Cedar quite easily adapts to different viscosity and friability of the base on which it grows. It forms a branched surface system that allows the plant to receive enough nutrition. But such an unreliable foundation makes these gigantic trees prone to windblows, so they are best planted in areas protected from the influence of winds.
The rate of growth per year largely depends on the age of the tree. It can be up to 100% in young trees and even exceed this figure. Thus, a seedling 15 cm tall, under favorable conditions, gives spring and autumn growth in total up to 30 cm per year. Mature trees on average add no more than 20 cm.
The description of the trees of the genus Cedar indicates that they belong to oligotypic plants, that is, they do not have a large species diversity. The appearance is also quite uniform. The coniferous tree has a spreading lush crown with branches abundantly forming side shoots. At first its shape is pyramidal, then it takes the form of an umbrella. The trunks of young cedars are always smooth, with a rich gray bark; in an adult plant, it becomes fissured, acquires a scaly structure. On some branches there are both long and short shoots, on elongated needles it is located in a spiral.
Cedar needles have the shape of a trihedron or tetrahedron, rather rigid and dense, pointed at the ends. The color depends on the species - there are trees with blue-green, gray and dark green needles. The needles grow in bunches of 5-30 pieces, the exact number depends on the species. Cedar refers to monoecious plants that form both female and male inflorescences.
Where does it grow?
In the Moscow region, in Siberia and other regions of Russia located north of the subtropical climate zone, cedars do not survive due to prolonged frosts. But they feel good in the conditions of the Central Chernozem region. So, in the reserves of the Caucasus, relict trees are found as part of mixed forests. In a wild form, they can be found on the territory of the southern coast of Crimea, where even in winter the minimum temperature values \u200b\u200bdo not reach −25 degrees Celsius. On the territory of Ukraine, cedars can be seen in Odessa and near other cities on the Black Sea coast.
Under natural conditions, these representatives of the pine family are found in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, as well as on the slopes of the Himalayas on the western side. Short coniferous varieties of Lebanese cedar grow in Turkey and Cyprus.
How does it bloom?
Flowering of cedar occurs in autumn. During this period, spikelets of female and male type are formed on its branches. Their location is always solitary. Men's in the form of high candles, located vertically, single, with bunches of needles around. Female, up to 5 cm long, are decorated with many stamens arranged in a spiral. Pollination occurs with the help of wind and does not require the participation of insects.
At what age does it bear fruit?
Cones appear already at a fairly mature age. The first fruits of the cedar give no earlier than 25 years. As long as the tree grows rapidly, it does not bear fruit. From the moment it reaches maturity, barrel-shaped cones appear on the branches twice a year. We have to wait a long time for seed material. The cone ripens for 2-3 years, the tree discards the fruits gradually and only in the autumn-winter period. The fruits of plants of the genus Cedrus are inedible, abundantly saturated with resin. Like other conifers, the seed is equipped with a lionfish, the length of the fruit itself does not exceed 15-17 mm.
Life span
The lifespan of a cedar depends on the conditions of its growth. For example, in its homeland in Libya, the Lebanese species lives for several thousand years, and with cultivated cultivation in the Russian south - no more than 80 years. The needles on the tree also have their own characteristics - its life span is 3-6 years, partial renewal annually reaches 15-20% of the total crown.
View overview
Real cedars belong to the category of heat-loving plants that are not common north of the subtropics. They do not grow in temperate climates. BUT those trees that are commonly called cedars in Russia belong to the cedar pine. In addition, this also includes the European, Korean variety and cedar. Not related to the cedar genus, Spanish, Alaskan yellow, Canadian red and eastern red cedar - they all represent other genera of conifers, from pine to juniper and arborvitae.
In total, 4 species are included in the genus Cedrus. Among them are well-known conifers, as well as plants found in certain areas and endangered.
Lebanese cedar
The most famous species of cedar, in the wild today is under threat of extinction. In Lebanon, Cedrus libani grows in the mountains at an altitude of 1000-2000 m. To date, 6 preserved groves are known where this tree can be observed in its natural habitat. They form the Horsh-Arz-el-Rab Forest or the Divine Forest, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Its visit is strictly limited and requires a special permit.
In cultural breeding, it has been found since 1683. The first planted specimens are still preserved in the south of France and in Italy. Today, the view is widely used by European designers in the design of landscapes. The Lebanese cedar also takes root well in Russia - in the Black Sea region, the Caucasus mountains, in the Crimea, it is also actively grown in Central Asia. The leaves, more precisely, the needles of the tree are elongated, up to 3.5 cm, its change occurs 1 time in 2 years. The shoots form a branched crown, conical in young trees and umbrella-shaped in mature ones. The maximum height of the trunk is 50 m, its girth reaches 2.5 m. Outside the natural conditions of growth, undersized forms are most often found.
The Lebanese cedar has 2 subtypes - the main and Turkish (or Ararat), growing on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains. In addition, there are many cultivated ornamental varieties that are small in stature.
- Glauca. Form with weeping shoots of a bluish-gray hue. Very decorative, popular with landscape designers.
- Sargentii. Woody semi-dwarf form, characterized by elongated weeping shoots. The variety is characterized by very slow growth, by the age of 10 its height rarely exceeds 1 m. This form of Lebanese cedar is suitable for growing in shady areas.
- Var stenocoma. A tree with a straight trunk and a conical compact crown, very similar to spruce, grows up to 3 m. The shoots grow upwards, the needles are dense, dark green in color. The variety is suitable for single and group planting.
- Nana. Shrub form of the Lebanese cedar with asymmetric wide shoots. It is characterized by slow growth, the maximum crown height reached is about 90 cm. The needles have a dark green saturated color.
- beacon hill. Dwarf cedar of Lebanon with weeping branches and decorative golden bark. This form is photophilous, needs a lot of sun. The needles are elegant, bright green, the crown looks like a narrow cone.
All decorative forms are not fruit-bearing plants, growing them from seeds is not possible.
Cypriot or short coniferous cedar
A species that grows exclusively in Cyprus and in some parts of Turkey. One of the smallest forms. In height, the trunk of an adult plant reaches 12 m, while the girth of the trunk remains common with other subspecies, up to 2 m. Short needles grow up to 5-8 mm, forming a lush umbrella crown in combination with raised branches. The Cypriot cedar is recognized as a vulnerable species and is on the verge of extinction. The wild population was almost completely exterminated by the efforts of a person who used wood for various needs. According to some reports, the short-coniferous cedar is a subspecies of the Lebanese cedar. But this opinion is not shared by all botanists.
Deodar
One of the most common species - the Himalayan cedar, grows in the mountainous regions of the northwestern part of the Himalayas, is found everywhere from Nepal to Afghanistan. The tree is able to feel good even at an altitude of up to 3600 m above sea level, it is characterized by increased frost resistance. As part of mixed forests, it gets along well with fir, spruce, and pines of various species. The Himalayan cedar is a real giant, the girth of its trunk reaches 3 m, and it reaches a height of 50 m. The crown of the tree has a cone-shaped shape with horizontally spreading shoots, has a gray-green color with a pronounced bluish bloom. The needles are elongated, up to 5 cm, growing in bunches of 30-40 pieces, rather soft. Cones ripen faster than other types of cedar, already after 1-1.5 years on the branches they are turned upwards, and do not hang down, like other conifers.
A distinctive feature of the Himalayan cedar can be called resistance to shading and a significant life expectancy - on average from 1000 to 3000 years. The species is suitable for cultivation for landscaping purposes, used in landscape design. Under favorable conditions, it takes root well in the Crimea, countries of Eastern Europe. High decorativeness makes this tree an excellent choice for decorating the site.
Atlas cedar
This species grows on the territory of Algeria and Morocco, in North-West Africa, in the Atlas Mountains. Atlas cedar is one of the rare species of vegetation that can grow on depleted rocky soils. The tree is found at an altitude of more than 1300 m above sea level. It is characterized by a spreading crown with a blue-green tint, emitting a resinous aroma, the wood is also richly saturated with natural essential oils.
Atlas cedar grows up to 50 m in height, the trunk diameter of an adult tree reaches 2 m. This species is easier than the Lebanese, tolerates drought, is able to be content with minimal amounts of incoming moisture. It is worth adding that frosts below -20 degrees are contraindicated for Atlas cedar; when the temperature drops, it dies. This species is suitable for landscape design, it is successfully grown by gardeners in the south of Europe, in China, in Central Asia and in the Caucasus mountains. Decorative weeping species of Atlas cedar, well rooted in the Crimean climate, is obtained by grafting.
Location selection
To choose the right place for planting cedar, you need to take into account the special needs of this plant in lighting and soil quality. In summer, all species, except for the Himalayan, need additional watering, but most of the year the tree needs only light soil moisture without waterlogging and stagnant water. The best choice would be a well-lit area on a hill. Light is generally very important for the proper growth and development of both conventional, wild and cultivated breeds.
The soil must also meet the needs of the seedling. It is good if the site is dominated by loam, well-drained, allowing moisture and air to pass to the roots. Completely open spaces blown by the winds are not suitable for growing cedar. In this case, a strong gust can simply pull a young tree out of the ground. On dry soil with a high lime content, trees do not grow, as there is a high risk of death due to chlorosis.
When group planting, young cedars are usually arranged in curtains, thus protecting plants from negative external influences. In this case, a distance of 2 m between individual trees must be observed. This is due to the superficial type of the root system, in which it acquires a branched appearance and grows strongly. It is impossible to have young cedars in the immediate vicinity of weeping trees, adult birches or aspens. In strong winds, the branches of these deciduous trees can break the seedling. From houses and other buildings with a foundation, cedars, especially non-dwarf forms, are located at a distance of 3 m or more, since there is a high risk that the overgrown roots of an adult tree will begin to destroy buildings.
When placing cedars on the site, the method of planting on a cone of soil is used - this increases the likelihood of survival and greatly facilitates subsequent care. First of all, a pit for a seedling is prepared - it must be at least 1 m deep with a diameter that is 50% larger than the dimensions of the container and earthen coma. At the bottom, a drainage about 10 cm high must be laid, consisting of pebbles, broken bricks, and expanded clay. A sand cushion is laid on top. As a soil mixture, excavated turf with sand, combined in equal proportions, is used. To improve growth, a layer of mature, well-rotted compost can be laid at the bottom of the pit.
- Around the pit, within a radius of 1.5 m from its center, the soil is loosened to a depth of 2 shovel bayonets.
- In the center, you need to pour soil in a slide to get a cone with an elevation. A seedling freed from the container is placed on top of it. Its roots straighten out, should freely fall down the slope.
- The pit is filled with soil 10 cm above the root neck of the plant. This is due to the natural shrinkage of the soil. This approach will avoid exposing the roots.
- The earth around the trunk is carefully compacted by hand. From above it is covered with sheet mulch to maintain sufficient soil moisture.
- Planted cedar must be watered. There are 9-10 liters of water per seedling, with dry soil this amount doubles. In the absence of rain for the first month, the flow of moisture will have to be regulated independently. Watering will be required every 3 days.
The best time for planting cedar is early autumn, from mid-September to the second decade of October. Be sure to have time to carry out the procedure before the average nighttime temperatures fall below 0 degrees. The choice of seedling also needs to be given great attention. It is optimal to purchase plants at least 7-9 years old. They have a well-developed root system, are not so demanding on the level of lighting on the site, and withstand partial shade.
Features of care
Young cedars require intensive care as they grow, otherwise it will not work to grow a strong and beautiful tree on the site. Fertilizing, pruning, and treating the plant with fungicides are periodically carried out. Starting to grow a seedling in the open field in the country or in a container at home, you should carefully monitor the soil moisture. It will not be so intensive to take care of an adult cedar.
While the trees are young, they can branch, give additional basal shoots. If you want to ensure normal growth of the cedar, you need to cut down the second trunk as soon as possible. The exception is shrub forms formed by grafting. They can have quite intense branching. Here, as a care measure, cutting off the lower branches can be used to avoid their contact with the soil and rotting.
Most species of cedar are not too demanding on the level of moisture, they tolerate dry periods well. Frequent watering is required only for young trees in the first month after planting, as well as in extreme heat. After the introduction of moisture, the soil is necessarily loosened - this improves the nutrition of the roots, ensures the prevention of root rot and the laying of larvae by insects.
At home, with container growing, young cedars are provided with:
- intense hydration;
- maintaining a constant temperature regime;
- draft protection;
- increased watering in spring and summer, light shading;
- sprinkling with a sprayer;
- application of organic fertilizers in spring and autumn.
In home cultivation, decorative forms of cedar are planted in ceramic pots. A mixture of turf, sand and humus is used as a substrate. Transplantation with cutting the roots to half the length is performed every 5 years.
crown formation
Pruning of cedars planted in a summer cottage is carried out mainly for sanitary purposes. This may concern the formation of 2 trunks. A less developed shoot is selected for pruning, it is removed as low as possible, the cut is treated with garden pitch. The crown of the tree forms itself and can change over time - from pyramidal to becoming umbrella. During sanitary pruning in the spring, dried and dead shoots are removed. Broken branches, as well as parts affected by fungus or disease, are pruned throughout the season. The rest are removed only during the period of slow sap flow. If the tree is grown in a pot, it is mandatory to pinch it in the spring, removing young shoots. This work is carried out manually without the use of additional tools.
What to feed?
It is recommended to feed the cedar with complex potash or phosphorus fertilizers. Among the suitable options are the funds "Agricola", "Kemira". They are brought into the ground dissolved in water. You can also place the granules inside the loosened soil before watering. Feeding time throughout the year is in May, July and September. Coniferous plants do not need nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonium nitrate, urea, herbal infusions or manure can severely damage the root system. From organic fertilizers, only high-quality humus is shown.
reproduction
The reproduction of cedars suitable for growing in the conditions of the subtropical zone in Russia - Lebanese, Himalayan, Atlas, is associated with certain difficulties. If we are talking about decorative species, the seed method will not be available at all. These forms are propagated by grafting onto Scots pine. But the seeds of a wild-growing cedar can be germinated, and the tree itself can be propagated by cuttings, if there is access to planting material.
cuttings
With self-propagation by cuttings, you need to have access to an adult plant. The optimal period for cutting shoots is from the beginning of April to the first decade of May. During this period, active sap flow begins. Cuttings are best done in the early morning in cool weather. Shoots from 5 to 15 cm long are suitable for growing with transplanting into the ground in autumn. It is necessary to separate them from the tree without the help of tools, manually, then part of the bark of the mother tree will remain on the handle. It is better to choose a mother liquor or a donor plant among young cedars about 8-9 years old. In ten-year-old plants, cuttings take root with lower rates of successful establishment.
It is important to consider that by cutting off shoots from the center of the crown, you can get a taller, upward-looking tree. Lateral branches will give in the future a plant with a lush crown and a lower trunk height. Before planting in the greenhouse, the cuttings are stored in a plastic bag filled with wet moss at a temperature of up to +2 degrees. The maximum storage period is 7 days.
During this period, a place is being prepared for the cuttings. Before placing them in open ground, sections are treated with powder growth stimulants. It is impossible to place future seedlings in water, otherwise the bark may peel off. In the greenhouse, boxes with loose soil are prepared for the material, consisting of high-moor peat, soil from coniferous forests, and sand in equal proportions. Holes are dug in the soil at a distance of about 10 cm. The depth of planting cuttings is 3-5 cm, the place around the run is covered with earth, compacted. Watering is carried out by drip irrigation, then the seedlings are shaded and left in the greenhouse. The temperature of the substrate and air should be maintained at + 22-24 degrees. The soil during the rooting period is treated with a mixture of growth stimulants and fungicides.
Growing from seeds
This method is used when obtaining plants for home cultivation. Before placing the seeds in containers, they must be soaked in warm water for 24 hours, after adding a growth stimulator to it in a volume of 2-3 drops. Planting material prepared in this way is buried in a well loosened substrate and placed in a place with a temperature of about +4 degrees. The mass is mixed and loosened every 2 weeks, the surface of the seed container is moistened with a spray bottle. As soon as the seedlings hatch, the container is transferred to a well-lit place. If a common container was originally used, then the shoots are planted in separate containers.
Diseases and pests
Among the dangerous pests that affect the cedar, several insects and pathogens can be noted.
- Pine fire. This butterfly lays eggs, from which very voracious larvae emerge. You can protect the tree by spraying with Leptocid at the beginning of flowering and repeating it after 7 days.
- Sawfly. This pest belongs to the group of bark beetles. It lays its eggs in the thickness of the wood, later the larvae begin to gnaw their way out. This process lasts for years and eventually can destroy even an adult tree. Fungicidal treatment is recommended as a control measure.
- Rust. This fungal disease affects the surface of the needles and at an early stage looks like yellow bubbles. The fungus is especially active in conditions of high humidity and temperature. The disease can be carried by spores from nearby weeds. A preventive measure is regular weeding of the area around the tree.
- Aphids and pine hermes. They both belong to the same family, they are especially dangerous for young shoots and needles. The appearance of a white coating on the branches, yellowing and wilting of the needles testifies to the defeat of the pest. Affected shoots are cut off, the tree is treated with tobacco leaf infusion or soapy water, karbofos.
Possible problems
In the process of growing cedars, it is worth paying attention to the general condition of the tree. If his bark has peeled off, you need to carefully examine the place of damage. Perhaps in winter, the tree served as food for animals. In addition, drying out and falling of the scales may indicate the death of the plant, especially if it is accompanied by a change in color and falling needles. Cracking of the bark may indicate a supersaturation of the plant with moisture. Frequent loosening of the soil will help to strengthen its evaporation. It is worth checking the root neck - it rots when it is excessively deepened.
But the yellowing of some of the needles may not be a cause for alarm. On average, cedar needles live only 2 years, after this time it dies and falls off. If the change is accompanied by the formation of orange fungal spores, the tree will need to be treated with antifungal drugs. Copper-containing fungicides give good results.
Examples in landscape design
- Cedar planted in a ceramic garden container. The dwarf form looks compact and has a lush pyramidal crown.
- Cedar as part of the overall landscape. A solitary planting surrounded by a well-groomed lawn focuses on the unusual multi-tiered shape of the conifer crown.
- Cedar in its natural habitat. If you are landscaping a park or a hiking trail in a rocky area, majestic trees will look very impressive.
For information on how to plant a cedar, see the following video.
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