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Fir whole-leaved – belongs to the genus Fir. It has several synonymous names – Manchurian Black Fir or Black Fir for short. The ancestors of the tree brought to Our Country are firs: strong, equal-scaled, Kawakami. These varieties are common in India, China, Japan and Taiwan.
Description of whole-leaved fir
Black fir is an evergreen large tree, reaching a height of 45–55 m. The girth of trees (diameter) ranges from 1 to 2 m. This is one of the largest conifers in the Far East.
The crown of the whole-leaved fir (pictured) is dense, very wide. The shape is cone-shaped, the lower branches can descend to the very ground.
In young seedlings, the bark is flaky, painted in a grayish-brown hue. In old trees, the bark is dark, thick, rough, striated with deep longitudinal and transverse cracks. The bark of annual shoots is distinguished by an interesting, ocher color, sometimes the shade varies from yellowish to gray-yellow.
Red-brown kidneys are egg-shaped. The length of the kidneys is from 7 to 10 mm, the width does not exceed 5 mm.
The trees are covered with light green needles, which are 20–45 mm long and 2–3 mm wide. The needles are rigid, unbranched at the ends, hence the corresponding name – whole-leaved.
Microstrobiles (anther spikelets) are oval in shape, the length does not exceed 8 mm, the width is 2 times less – up to 4 mm.
The cones are cylindrical in shape, 70–120 mm long, up to 40 mm in diameter. Light brown cones are located on the shoots vertically (upwards). The cones contain wedge-oval seeds with an elongated wing (up to 12 mm). The color of the seeds is brownish-ocher, the size is 8×5 mm.
According to various sources, the life expectancy of black fir ranges from 250 to 450 years.
The tree belongs to winter-hardy, shade-tolerant and wind-resistant specimens. Can grow in well lit areas. The culture is demanding on the quality of the soil, it does not tolerate polluted city air.
Whole-leaved fir in landscape design
Since 1905, black fir has been used for landscaping, and is actively used in park construction. It is grown as an ornamental tree on private estates.
It must be borne in mind that the tree is tall, so it can create inconvenience when grown in a small garden area.
The first 10 years the seedling grows very slowly, then growth intensifies. Trees that have lost their decorative appeal are removed from the site, replacing with new seedlings.
Planting and caring for black fir
In order for the seedling to start and please with green needles, it is necessary to follow the rules for planting and caring for black fir.
In the city with heavily polluted air, a seedling rarely takes root, so it is better to plant a tree in suburban areas, cottages.
Seedling and planting preparation
Whole-leaved fir is demanding on growing conditions, especially on soil and air moisture. The seedling grows well in well-drained fertile soils. The acidity index should be in the range of 6-7,5 pH, i.e. the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline. It is best if the area allocated for planting is loamy soil.
For planting, choose a flat area in the north or northwest of the territory. When choosing a black fir seedling, you need to pay attention to the following:
- it is best to purchase a tree for planting from trusted suppliers, so the likelihood that a seedling will be accepted is much higher than that of specimens purchased on the market;
- the age of the conifer is at least 5 years, because younger specimens do not tolerate changes in growing conditions and often die;
- it is better to buy seedlings with a closed root system. They tolerate transplanting more easily and are quickly accepted in the ground.
Black fir is a tall tree, so it is better to plant it away from housing construction, any buildings and paths, so that it does not interfere with movement and does not lead to cracking of the walls.
Rules of landing
The distance between adjacent holes should be at least 4–5 m. If the seedling is purchased in a container (with a closed root system), it is enough to dig a hole 5–7 cm larger than the size of the pot. For seedlings with open roots, a larger pit will be required. To determine the size of the planting hole, estimate the volume of an earthen coma on the roots and dig a hole 2 times larger so that the roots can freely fit in it. The standard size of the pit (excluding the drainage layer) is 60–80 cm deep and up to 60 cm wide.
Drainage (20–30 cm) must be filled at the bottom of the hole. For these purposes, broken bricks, small stones, gravel mixed with sand are suitable.
Landing is best done in spring (April) or closer to autumn (end of August – September).
Before planting, a nutrient mixture is prepared, consisting of humus, leafy soil, sand and complex mineral fertilizer. If the earth is heavy, add about 1 bucket of sawdust to it.
When planting, make sure that the root neck protrudes slightly above the ground. A small ditch is left around the hole, necessary to retain moisture during irrigation.
Mulch the trunk circle with peat, sawdust. A layer of mulch (about 8 cm) prevents the earthen clod from drying out and prevents the appearance of weeds. Mulching materials protect the roots of young firs from freezing.
If the conifers are planted to equip the alley, the distance between the holes is left from 4 to 5 m, if the black fir is used in group plantings, it is enough to leave at least 3 m. A dense planting provides for a distance between adjacent firs of 2,5 m.
Watering and top dressing
Watering the tree is needed during transplantation, then the seedling is moistened only during severe drought. Usually, black fir has enough rainfall to grow and develop well. Excessive soil moisture negatively affects the conifer.
As top dressings that enhance the growth of black fir, complex mineral fertilizers are used. For example, “Kemira wagon” is considered a good tool, which consumes no more than 150 g per 1 m² of the trunk circle.
Trimming
Black fir is a slow growing conifer that does not require formative pruning. For proper formation and creation of a beautiful appearance, cut off old, dried branches, damaged shoots.
Preparation for winter
Adult black fir does not need to be prepared for winter and shelter, it tolerates frost well. It is advisable to cover the seedlings for the winter with spruce branches, and mulch the ground in the trunk circle with a layer of sawdust, peat or straw.
Reproduction
Whole-leaved black fir is bred in various ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering.
Planting seeds and growing coniferous trees from them is a very laborious and lengthy process, so the best option is to purchase a five-year-old seedling from a nursery.
The lower shoots often bend down to the ground and take root on their own, without human intervention. Such layering can be used for breeding.
Diseases and pests
Black fir has good immunity and rarely gets sick. A coniferous tree can suffer from fungal pathologies, for example, a brown schütte leads to browning of the needles. Fir rust appears as yellow spots on top of the needles, and orange bubbles are visible below.
To help the tree get rid of the fungus, copper-containing preparations are used. It can be “Hom”, “Horus”, Bordeaux liquid. To prevent fungal infections, spraying is carried out in spring and autumn. Fallen needles must be removed from the site and burned, damaged branches are cut and disposed of. The earth in the trunk circle is also sprayed.
Fungal diseases can affect the root system, so that this does not happen, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, to prevent excessive moisture. Watering the soil with Fitosporin helps to protect against Fusarium and root rot.
Economic value and application
Black fir wood is homogeneous and durable, but it has not been widely used in construction due to the fact that trees of this species are not common and are on the verge of extinction.
Young plantings suffer from poachers cutting down conifers before the New Year holidays. Fir trees look very much like spruce, so they are in great demand on New Year’s Eve.
The bark contains an essential oil that is used in folk recipes and in traditional medicine. This oil is one of the components of cosmetic products for skin and hair care.
Black fir needles have a high content of ascorbic acid, so it is used in non-traditional methods for treating flu and colds.
Due to the decorativeness of the crown, conifers are often used in landscape design. With the help of black fir, beautiful alleys in parks are arranged.
Conclusion
Black fir is a long-growing coniferous tree that is used for decorative purposes. Saplings need special care and shelter for the winter, adult specimens are unpretentious. With proper planting and care, the ephedra will delight the eye for many years.