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Balsam fir is an evergreen ornamental plant with medicinal properties. The birthplace of coniferous trees is North America, where pine species predominate. Fir is actively used by gardeners and landscape designers to create comfort and style on the site. The plant is adapted to all climatic zones, so there are no special difficulties in growing.
Description of balsam fir
The description of the tree cannot be reduced to one characteristic, because more than 50 types of balsam fir have been bred, and 20 of them are for decorative purposes. Ordinary fir grows rapidly in natural conditions up to 14-25 m. The needles are ringed, shiny and smooth. Depending on the variety, the color of the crown in the upper part is dark or light green, in the lower part it is greenish-white or matte green. The length of the needles is 2-4 cm, the width is from 1 to 3 mm. Crown diameter – 4-7 m. The top of the fir is blunt-conical, bifurcated.
Shoots are round, brown. Cones are elongated obtuse-shaped, ripe – reddish-brown, young – matte gray-purple hue. Fir is self-pollinated by the wind through male flowers in the form of small earrings. After maturation, the cones fall off on their own. A rod remains on the fir from the kidney. New needles are updated on the branches every 4-5 years, have a resinous and tart aroma. Balsam fir tolerates drought well, frosts down to -40-45 ° C.
Decorative varieties grow up to 1-2 m. The crown is trapezoidal, spherical or flattened, there are several tops that need to be cut off during the growth process. The branches are thickened, there is no branchiness. Cones grow from 3 to 5 cm. There is a color of needles from bright green to blue. The average life expectancy of a wild and ornamental tree is from 250 years.
Where does balsam fir grow?
Most varieties of balsam fir grow in Canada, USA, the range extends from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic Ocean. After the importation of some varieties to the territory of Our Country, good growth rates were observed in all forest loamy zones of the country. In the Taiga and the Middle climatic zone, the plant reproduces independently on a large scale. However, fir is not found in the forest-steppe or steppe zones – the soil is of poor quality.
Use in landscape design
In landscape design, balsamic needles are used to complete the look of a themed or classic style garden composition. With the presence of an evergreen tree, a harmonious environment appears on the site even in the winter season. Trees are often planted in front of suburban areas, using a single planting scheme or combining the plant with other dwarf varieties. For example, Brilliant fir has an original crown shape and small stature, which allows you to compactly place several trees in front of the house or along the garden path. These trees are combined with other pine species: cypress, boxwood, juniper, thuja. Pine needles are popular in northern, English or minimalist garden landscapes.
Varieties of balsam fir
Wild varieties rarely take root after transplantation – a change in soil and climate can injure a plant, so dwarf firs are the most popular today. Decorative varieties of coniferous trees are most adapted to changeable weather conditions. This allows you to independently cultivate a new variety or grow fir after transplanting a seedling from one region to another.
Balsam Piccolo Fir
Slow growing evergreen dwarf tree. The plant grows well on acidified soils, which allows you to plant a tree in any area. In growth reaches 0,5-1 m, then development stops. The crown is up to 50 cm in diameter. The first few years of cultivation require regular watering 3-4 times a week. Piccolo favorably develops both in the sun and in the shade, partial shade. Adult needles are green, with the onset of spring, shoots of a bright light green shade appear.
In landscape design, it is present as the main detail of a coniferous garden in the Japanese or Alpine style. Landing on a stone path mixed with moss or heather will create a cozy and modern environment. At home, gardeners make their own pomace of fir oil. Flowering and young branches are cut for home decor, phytoncides secreted by Abies Balsamea Piccolo fir destroy germs and viruses in the room.
Fir balsam Nana
A shrub from the Pine family, it grows up to 1-1,5 m. The branching of the crown reaches 2-2,5 m, the needles are thickened, but pruning of the branches is not required. The fir is a bright green shade, the lower branches darken with age. The tree grows to the shape of a rounded or flattened ball. The plant self-pollinates, after the growing season, purple cones appear, which develop on the upper branches of the balsam needles and ripen by mid-November.
For planting, seedlings are purchased in peat pots with a prolonged substrate, which will allow the plant to take root quickly. Balsamic Nana grows for a long time – 30-40 cm in 10 years. Suitable for ornamental cultivation in pots. Experienced gardeners advise replanting fir every 3-4 years in March or November, then rooting will be favorable and the tree will not get sick.
Balsam Fir Brilliant
The most common and popular type of decorative tree, often found in Our Country. The variety was bred in Korea. The growth of the plant stops at 0,5 m. The spherical shape of the tree fits compactly into the modern style of landscape design. A favorable place for balsam needles Brilliant is a shade or partial shade, under these conditions the tree is extended by 4-5 cm per year. Water fir 1-2 times a week. The diamond is not resistant to frost, so for the winter the tree is covered with hay and cloth. The variety can be bred at home with seedlings or seeds.
Other varieties of balsam fir
About 30 varieties of wild and ornamental balsam fir grow on the territory of the country. In the natural environment along the forest belt of Our Country, you can find white, Macedonian, Caucasian or Sakhalin fir varieties. The life expectancy of these varieties is more than 300 years. Of the dwarf varieties, Kiwi fir, Hudsonia, Green Globe, Molly rarely come across. They are similar to the varieties Brilliant or Nana, but have some features when grown. For example, if Piccolo balsam fir is unpretentious in planting and care, then Molly or Kiwi needs a strict watering schedule, pruning and spraying, so these varieties are rarely purchased for landscape design.
Planting and caring for balsam fir
You can plant an ornamental tree in any season of the year, except for winter. If possible, there should be a body of water with shade or partial shade in the vicinity. In order for fir to initially begin to bring aesthetic pleasure, it is necessary to follow the rules of planting and organize watering and fertilizing.
Seedling and planting preparation
For planting, seedlings are purchased 3-4 years old, when the plant reaches 20-25 cm in height. Wild varieties can be grown from seeds or cuttings. The roots of purchased seedlings are inspected for root cancer, rot or other damage. On examination, the needles should not crumble, be faded or yellowed. Dry branches are cut to living tissue. Before planting, fir is hardened by temperature changes: put in the refrigerator for 3 hours, then in a warm place. Landing is carried out together with root soil.
Balsam fir does not grow well on heavy soils, it does not always take root on sandy or black soil. Good growth and rooting is observed on loamy and slightly acidic soils. The seat is prepared 5-10 days before planting. Heavy soils are diluted with drainage. Dig a hole 50 cm deep and wide, pour drainage or small pebbles on the bottom. The distance between the trees should be from 2-3 m, although the parameter depends on the variety of the seedling. Before planting, the soil is disinfected.
Rules of landing
The description and planting rules for balsam fir are standard, regardless of the variety chosen. For rooting to go well, the following rules must be observed:
- the drainage layer should be at least 20-30 cm;
- on top of crushed stone or pebbles, it is better to pour a layer of mixed fertilizers;
- the root neck should be flush with the ground;
- young seedlings with a thin trunk should not be purchased;
- the optimal time for planting is March or September, for transplanting – November or April.
The roots of planting material are moistened with water, which is mixed with a small amount of growth stimulants. Seedlings are set on a layer of substrate and covered with the remaining soil. A ditch for irrigation is formed around the trunk. Balsamic needles are watered with a small amount of water. Young trees are not resistant to strong gusts of wind, so fir is tied to a trellis or planted next to the fence.
Watering and top dressing
Balsam fir is responsive to frequent watering, but the soil should not be flooded. At the first watering, 1 tree should go up to 2-3 liters. An adult tree needs up to 10-15 liters of water. Up to 2-3 waterings per week. During the hot summer season, the frequency of watering is increased to everyday 4-5 times a week.
Fir is fed 2-3 times every year. Manure, potash additives, wood ash are suitable as fertilizers. The first top dressing is done 2-3 years after planting. The gardener is recommended to carry out additional feeding according to the seasons:
- apply manure or bird droppings in the spring;
- in summer, with active growth, a small amount of compost is added to the soil;
- at the end of November or before the first frosts, the needles are fed with superphosphates.
Mulching and loosening
Fir roots quickly overgrow with weeds, so after each watering, you need to loosen the soil and remove weeds. For the winter and for long-term preservation of moisture, the canal around the trunk is mulched with hay, sawdust, and large gravel. The thickness of the layer should be from 10 to 15 cm. The layer of mulch for an adult tree is 20-40 cm.
Trimming
With the onset of spring, decorative varieties are examined for the presence of dry or diseased branches. The lower branches are cut by a third or removed completely. To give shape, the crown is cut off. A sanitary segment is carried out every season. Tools are disinfected in a solution of manganese or wood ash.
Preparation for winter
For the winter, the tree trunk is whitewashed with lime mixed with copper sulfate. The roots are mulched, and the trunk is wrapped with roofing material. Spruce branches cover the roots 50-80 cm from the trunk, because the root system develops in the upper layers. From rodents, the roots are sprinkled with substances with a pungent odor. Young trees with the onset of spring are covered with a cloth on the sunny side so that the branches do not burn in the sun.
Reproduction
Balsam fir is propagated by cuttings, seeds or seedlings. From an annual seedling, a young branch with an apical bud is cut off, on which there are several shoots. The cutting can be planted directly in the hole or placed in a container with high humidity. Cuttings from 2 or 4 year old trees take root well.
Seeds are obtained from blossoming cones, which are cut off unripe along with the branch. Planting material is dried, then soaked and waiting for germination. You can immediately plant several seeds and cover the greenhouse. Every day before the emergence of seedlings, the greenhouse is opened for 3-4 hours.
Diseases and pests
Like any coniferous plant, fir is affected by fungal diseases and is attacked by pests. The most dangerous diseases:
- root cancer;
- browning;
- brown shutte;
- rust.
The causative agent may be non-compliance with the rules of planting, poor-quality planting material or insufficient water during irrigation. The appearance of the disease can be avoided by spraying the needles with pesticides, treatment with hot or cold fog.
Conclusion
Balsam fir is an ornamental crop that does not cause any particular problems when grown. Dwarf varieties are spreading all over the world, breeders are developing new varieties, which means that the population of evergreen shrubs will not decline. They are unpretentious to growing conditions and bring aesthetic pleasure in the garden landscape or home environment.
