European cedar (cedar pine)

European cedar pine is a unique coniferous tree that has become popular for its beauty, cold resistance and medicinal properties. In household plots, European cedar, despite its large size, is widely used in landscape design. A powerful beautiful plant fascinates with a slender trunk, dense greenish-blue needles and dark brown cones that ripen 24 months after pollination.

Description of European cedar

European cedar pine is native to the mountain forests of Central Europe. Under natural conditions, it can be found in the South of France, in the Eastern regions of the Alps and the Carpathians.

On moderately moist soil, the plant reaches 25 m in height and 8 m in width. The ovoid massive crown is formed by long, thin needles, emerald-sky color. The needles are collected in a bunch and kept on shoots for several years. Flowering comes in summer.

In early September, purple-green, edible cones up to 25 cm long appear on the cedar pine. The cones ripen the next year after pollination, forming seeds up to 12 mm in size. Ripe buds turn dark brown.

The fruits of European cedar pine are valued as a delicacy, medicine and as a valuable nutritious product. Since ancient times, European cedar pine has been considered a breadfruit, as it can feed not only people, but also forest dwellers. If the European cedar pine grows on a personal plot, fruiting occurs after 15 years, the harvest is obtained every 2 years.

Thanks to a powerful, tap root system, cedar pine does not need regular watering and tolerates drought well. European cedar pine is not whimsical to care, soil composition and air humidity. Ephedra is cold-resistant, so it can be grown in all regions of Our Country. The cedar pine is a long-liver, growing in one place for about 400 years and more.

Thanks to the painstaking work of breeders, about 100 ornamental varieties of European cedar pine have been created. Most popular:

1. Columnaris – pine forms a columnar crown.
2. Viridis – the tree is covered with bright emerald needles.
3. Aureya – Attractive for the golden hue of the needles.
4. The chain – the variety has become popular for the attractive color of the needles. The tips of the needles are covered with a golden color, the rest of the stripes or spots. Thanks to this, the crown has an original variegated color.
5. Glauca compacta – dwarf, slow growing variety. The height of the tree does not exceed 80 cm. Greenish-blue needles on the outside and snow-white sky on the inside cover short, vertical shoots.
6. Pygmy – the variety is used to decorate the alpine slide. Plant height 40-60 cm, needles are tender, curved, of different lengths.

European cedar pine has found wide application in the woodworking industry and medicine. The wood is strong and durable, so it is used for the manufacture of souvenirs, furniture, interior cladding of the house and utensils. It is believed that if you keep milk in a bowl of cedar, it does not sour for a long time and acquires a pleasant taste.

In folk medicine, needles, cones, bark, resin and nuts are used:

• cedar oil is made from seeds, which helps against varicose veins;
• the shell treats mastopathy, osteochondrosis, arthritis and sciatica;
• a decoction based on needles has a diaphoretic effect,
• infusion from the shell relieves stress, diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys;
• resin, due to its bactericidal properties, is used for cuts, wounds and burns.

To grow a European cedar on a personal plot and consider the beauty of an evergreen handsome man, you need to view the photo and read the description in detail.

European cedar in landscape design

European cedar pine is widely used for decoration of gardening and gardening. It looks attractive both in single and group plantings, next to ornamental trees and shrubs.

European cedar pine emits oxygen and phytoncides. Thanks to these properties, the air is disinfected and filled with a pleasant coniferous aroma, which has a beneficial effect on the human body.

To create a relaxing effect, European cedar pine is planted next to the recreation area, near water bodies and surrounded by other conifers.

Planting and caring for European cedar

European cedar pine is undemanding to care, soil composition and air humidity. To grow a beautiful, useful plant,

 It is necessary to prepare the site, choose the right seedling and carry out timely care.

Seedling and planting preparation

Cedar pine seedlings are best purchased in a nursery with a closed root system. This will enable the plant to quickly adapt to a new place and build up a powerful root system. Also, a seedling purchased in a pot can be planted in spring, summer and autumn.

To make the needles look beautiful and be painted in a rich color, an open, well-lit place is chosen for planting. European cedar pine is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but it grows and develops better on fertile soil. When planting, a soil mixture is made from sand, clay and soddy soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. If there is heavy loam on the site, drainage is made of sand or broken brick with a layer of 20 cm before planting.

How to plant European cedar

When planting European cedar pine, the distance between the planting holes is kept 4-6 m. The root system should be placed in the hole freely and without bending. Planting technology of European cedar pine:

1. The hole is dug 1 m deep and 1,8 m wide.
2. The pit is filled with 1 bucket of fertile soil and 10 liters of compost. Everything is thoroughly mixed.
3. The seedling is carefully removed from the container, the twisted roots are straightened, trying not to destroy the earthen clod.
4. The plant is placed in a bucket of warm water so that the roots do not dry out during planting.
5. A small mound is formed in the planting pit and a seedling with a straightened root system is installed.
6. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the root neck is located at the level of the soil.
7. The roots are covered with soil, tamping each layer.
8. The planted seedling is abundantly shed. About 5 buckets of warm water are consumed per plant.
9. After the water is absorbed, the soil is mulched.

Watering and top dressing

European cedar pine is a drought-resistant conifer. It grows well and develops both in a dry area and in moist soil. The tree needs abundant watering only in early spring, during the budding. At least 50 liters of water is needed for each young plant. Also, the cedar pine in the hot summer will not refuse irrigation by sprinkling. This procedure will increase humidity, give the needles a healthy and well-groomed appearance, fill the air with a coniferous aroma.

The evergreen handsome man does not tolerate nitrogenous fertilizers; the root system does not develop from them. Therefore, nitrogen is excluded as a top dressing. But in order for the European cedar pine not to freeze and develop well, it can be fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Mulching and loosening

Small suction roots in natural conditions are located under the forest floor. Therefore, after planting a European cedar pine on a personal plot, the trunk circle is mulched. Mulch is essential to maintain high fertility and aerate the top layer. The best mulch for European cedar pine will be foliage, needles, and bark. When the mulch decomposes, the earth acquires a fertile composition, which is necessary for the life of earthworms and microorganisms. Mushroom mycelium is able to improve soil structure and protect the root system from pathogens of fungal diseases.

Mulch also retains moisture and helps the root system to endure cold winters. To stimulate the formation of adventitious roots, a new layer of mulch is added annually.

Trimming

European cedar pine does not need pruning, with the exception of:

• sanitary pruning – remove damaged, not overwintered and diseased shoots;
• to increase the density of the crown – cut off young, annual shoots by ½ length;
• to slow down the growth of a tree and branches, annual growths are carefully broken out.

Preparation for winter

European cedar pine is a frost-resistant species, an adult tree calmly endures severe cold without shelter. But young shoots can suffer from frost, so they need shelter. For protection, spruce branches or a breathable non-woven material are used, with which the tree is covered after the onset of the first frost.

Reproduction

European cedar pine is propagated by seeds, since the survival rate of cuttings is very low.

To get a healthy seedling, the seeds must be stratified. To do this, they are placed in a container filled with wet sand. The container is removed for 2-3 months in a cool room, where the temperature does not rise above + 5 ° C. The prepared seed is sown in a greenhouse, since when planted in open ground, germination is reduced by 50%.

Seed propagation of cedar pine is a laborious and long process, therefore, novice gardeners are advised to buy seedlings grown in a nursery.

Diseases and pests

European cedar pine has strong immunity to many diseases. But if the rules of care are not followed, the tree can become infected with diseases.

Anamorphic mushrooms. When affected by a fungus, the roots turn brown, and the mycelium penetrates the vessels of the tree, clogs them, and prevents the supply of nutrients. Without treatment, the needles of the cedar pine blush and crumble, the tree begins to dry out and dies.

It is almost impossible to get rid of the fungus, so it is necessary to take preventive measures in a timely manner:

• purchase a healthy seedling from trusted suppliers;
• in the spring, before sap flow, spray the young plant with a copper-containing preparation;
• carry out mulching of the trunk circle;
• fallen, affected needles should be removed and burned in a timely manner.

Cone rust. When the fungus is damaged, the tips of the shoots die off, the trunk is twisted, the cones open and fall off. The fungus is dangerous for young plants, it quickly spreads throughout the plant and in a short time leads to the death of a fragile plant. For prevention, young cedar pine is sprayed in spring and autumn with broad-spectrum fungicides.

Conclusion

European cedar pine is not only an additional detail in landscape design, but also a healing tree that helps with many diseases. When landing 2-3 specimens, the air will be filled with an unforgettable coniferous aroma, which is fully revealed after rain. When you are near a tree, you can get a boost of energy, get rid of stress and nervous experiences. With timely care, the European pine will thank you with a harvest of cones with tasty and healthy seeds.