Contents
In Our Country, few people can be surprised with fir. After all, these trees make up most of the Siberian taiga forests. But white fir differs from its closest relatives in greater finicky to growing conditions. Therefore, even on the territory of the Moscow region, and even more so in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, it takes root with difficulty. But in Europe, these trees can be found everywhere, both in the wild and as decorations for parks and gardens.
Description of European fir
Like most of its relatives, white fir is a powerful, tall tree. This is a typical representative of evergreen conifers. It is monoecious and dioecious. It also has other names – European fir, which characterizes the main areas of its growth. And comb-fir – in the shape of the growth of its needles.
In height, white fir trees reach 30-50 m, and this is far from the limit. Under natural conditions, they can grow even up to 65-80 m.
In the first years of life, white fir grows in the form of a pointed pyramid. With age, the crown becomes more oval, and the top begins to dull. At a respectable age, the shape of the tree from above looks more like a huge nest. The crown can be spread over a diameter of 8-12 m.
European fir has a smooth bark of a silvery-gray hue, which can be clearly seen in the photo.
It remains smooth for a very long time and only with age can characteristic scales appear on it.
The central trunk is straight, and the side branches grow almost horizontally, only their ends are slightly raised upwards.
Shoots at a young age are green and pubescent, then turn brown, black warty spots appear on them.
Buds are brown, ovoid, resinous is absent.
The needles of white fir look very attractive: dark green and shiny on top, and below have two white stomatal stripes. The needles are not very long (up to 3 cm), but rather wide and flat (2,5 mm). Their tips are blunt or have a small notch. And they are arranged in the form of a comb, which served as the basis for one of the species names of white fir. The life span of individual needles is from 6 to 9 years.
The cones of the trees are quite large, reaching a length of 10-15 cm, a width of -3-5 cm. They grow straight up near the white fir, slightly resembling candles, as in the photo.
When unripe, they are greenish-brown in color. When ripe, they become reddish brown. The trihedral seeds are large, reaching a length of 1 cm. The shade of the seeds is dark brown, and the wings are light and twice as large in size.
In the climatic conditions of the Moscow region, white fir does not form pollen and fruits.
Trees can be safely attributed to centenarians. Their life span is 400-600 years, and according to some sources they live up to 700-800 years.
White fir is characterized by the presence of a deep root system. In addition to the central root, large and strong lateral roots grow. However, the trees do not tolerate drought well and prefer to grow in well-drained fertile soils. At the same time, waterlogged soils are also not suitable for it for successful growth.
Trees also hardly tolerate gas and smoke in the air.
In their natural growing conditions, white fir can be attributed to fast-growing tree species. Especially its growth accelerates after the tree reaches 10 years. But in the conditions of the Moscow region, it grows and develops very slowly. For a year, the growth is no more than 5 cm. Thus, a tree at the age of 15 years does not exceed two meters in height.
According to European standards, white fir is a fairly frost-resistant tree, but at temperatures below -25 ° C it can freeze slightly. Young plants and tops of branches formed in the previous season are especially susceptible to frost. Therefore, these trees are rarely used in landscaping areas located at the latitude of Moscow and to the north. But on the territory of Ukraine, the south of Belarus and the Baltic states, they are quite widespread.
White fir in landscape design
In nature, white fir most often grows in mixed forests along with beech and spruce.
In culture, it is actively used to decorate forest parks and other green spaces of great length. It goes well with larch, birch, maple and spruce.
However, given the decorativeness of white fir needles, as well as its cones, it can also decorate the space in the form of a lonely tree.
Planting and caring for white fir
Planted in favorable climatic conditions for its growth, European fir will not require particularly careful care.
Seedling and planting preparation
White fir feels good in open sunny areas, but it can also endure semi-shady conditions.
Grows best on loose, fairly moist sandy or loamy soils. The reaction of the soil is desirable slightly acidic, it can also be neutral. In the case of waterlogged, heavy or poor dry sandy soils, it is necessary to take some measures to improve them. For heavy soils – add sand or high peat. Poor sandy soils will require the addition of humus, at least to the planting hole.
The soil must, on the one hand, retain moisture well, on the other hand, it is important to provide good drainage so that the water does not stagnate.
Young plants of white fir are planted in the ground in the spring. Although a pit for planting can be prepared in the fall. In size, it must fully correspond to the volume of the root system with an earthen clod.
Humus, peat or sand is added to the pit, depending on the properties of the original land.
Rules of landing
The roots of white fir seedlings, like many conifers, cannot withstand even a short stay in the air, and even more so in the sun. Therefore, plants should be transplanted only with an earthen clod to ensure good survival in a new place.
Planting depth should match the one at which the seedling grew in the nursery.
After planting the fir, the ground is well tamped and covered with a layer of coniferous bark or litter from the nearest pine or spruce forest.
Watering and top dressing
European fir is a rather moisture-loving tree, so it must be watered at least 3 times per season. Depending on the age of the tree and the volume of its root system, each plant can take from 5 to 15 liters of water. During dry periods, watering is required more often – up to 5-7 times per season.
Since white fir does not tolerate dry air, it is advisable to spray its crown regularly at a young age, at least once a week.
In the first year after planting, European fir does not need special feeding. As a rule, the plant has enough of the nutrient medium that was provided to it during planting. For the second year, once a season, fertilizers specially designed for coniferous plants can be used to feed. They can be in the form of granules that can be applied under a layer of mulch or in liquid form.
In extreme cases, Kemira-universal is used for top dressing in the proportion of 150 g per 1 sq.m. There is no longer a special need to feed mature trees over the age of 10 years.
Mulching and loosening
White fir grows and develops best when using a layer of organic mulch placed in a one meter circle around the trunk. Any organic matter is suitable as mulch: straw, hay, sawdust, chopped bark, peat, nutshells.
Trimming
White fir does not need shaping pruning, moreover, it does not react very positively to it. But sanitary pruning, which consists in cutting the frozen tips of branches in May, will be most welcome. It is also good to regularly remove possible dry or yellowing branches to prevent and protect against possible pests or diseases.
Preparation for winter
It is especially important to winterize young, newly planted white fir trees. The near-stem circles are additionally covered in autumn with a layer of dry leaves, at least 8-10 cm thick.
And trunks with branches are dug up with spruce branches. This shelter can also be used during late spring frosts, when young branches are especially vulnerable to frost.
Reproduction
White fir reproduces both by seeds and vegetatively (semi-woody cuttings, layering or grafting).
Seeds can be sown before winter. For sowing in spring, they are stratified in a cold room for 1-2 months, after which they are germinated in moist, light soil at a temperature of about + 20 ° C.
When white fir is propagated by cuttings without the use of special stimulants, about 25% of cuttings collected in winter take root.
Diseases and pests
White fir is rarely affected by diseases and pests. But in case of any problems, spraying with phytosporin and fitoverm solutions can be used.
The use of white fir
White fir is a valuable plant that is used for a variety of needs. For medical purposes, resin is very important, which is extracted from a tree trunk in the summer. From one fir, you can get up to 50 g of a healing substance.
The needles are rich in ascorbic acid. And from the bark, young shoots and cones, the most valuable fir essential oil is extracted. It is used to treat respiratory diseases, heart problems, and rheumatism. It is also widely used in the manufacture of various drinks, in perfumery and cosmetics, in printing.
Fir wood can be used for building and making musical instruments.
Conclusion
White fir is an interesting tree that has a special attraction at a young age. But it is better to plant it in regions with a relatively mild climate.
