Korean fir: photo and description

Korean fir is a great option for landscaping. It is grown both in open areas and at home. The development of the tree is affected by the place of planting, the flow of moisture and nutrients.

Description of Korean fir

Korean fir is a member of the Pine family. Its name comes from the German “fichte”, which translates as “spruce”. The plant is valued for its beautiful appearance and unpretentiousness.

The evergreen plant has a powerful root system. In young trees, the bark is smooth and thin, grayish in color. Over time, the surface becomes thicker, cracks appear on it. The height of Korean fir reaches 15 m. The diameter of the trunk is from 0,5 to 0,8 m. The crown is wide, in the shape of a cone.

Young branches are yellow, turning purple with age. Buds are resinous, spherical. The needles are dense, up to 15 mm long, hard, dark green above and silver below. Cones are cylindrical, up to 7 cm long and up to 3 cm in diameter. Pollination occurs by wind. When the seeds ripen, the scales on the cones become dull and fall off.

Where does Korean fir grow?

Korean fir or Abies Koreana is found naturally on the Korean Peninsula. The tree prefers southern regions and altitudes from 1000 to 1900 m. The plant forms pure forests or lives next to Ayan spruce and stone birch.

Fir appeared in Europe in 1905. In the USSR, the tree has been known since 1939. Its features are being studied by employees of the BIN Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg. In Our Country, Korean species are only gaining popularity. They can be grown in warm regions, the middle lane, Siberia, the Urals and the Far East.

Korean fir in landscape design

In landscape design, Korean fir is used for landscaping. It is planted in park areas. The tree looks good in single and group plantings. It is placed next to maple, pine, spruce, larch. Low-growing varieties are located next to shrubs and ground cover flowers.

In suburban areas, the tree becomes the central part of the composition. Korean fir grows slowly. It is located against the background of the lawn, next to the alpine slides, houses and gazebos. Perennial shade-loving herbs are planted under Korean fir. It is also convenient to use it to create a hedge together with other trees.

Types and varieties of Korean fir with a photo

There are many varieties of Korean fir. They differ in the shape of the crown, winter hardiness, color of needles and cones.

Korean fir Icebreaker

Korean Fir Icebreaker is a unique variety bred in Germany. This is a dwarf hybrid with a spherical crown. In 10 years, it grows up to 25 cm in height, up to 50 cm in width. A plant over 25 years old reaches 80 cm in height, crown girth is no more than 120 cm.

The Icebreaker variety has many branched short shoots. The needles are twisted, silvery on the underside. Outwardly, the plant resembles a ball filled with fragments of ice.

For a hybrid choose a lighted place. The plant fits well in rock gardens. Drained soil is prepared under it, which passes moisture well. Winter hardiness – up to -23 ° С.

Korean Fir Blue Magic

The Blue Magic variety is a Korean fir with blue needles. At the age of 10 years, it does not exceed 1 m. An adult tree has a girth of up to 2 m and a height of up to 2,5 m. The needles are short, but densely arranged. When grown in a sunny place, the plant acquires a silver hue, green tones appear in the shade.

Cones appear on a young tree. They are numerous, have a purple or purple color. The shape of the crown is elongated or pyramidal. The Blue Magic variety is characterized by increased resistance to diseases. Without shelter, landings tolerate winter frosts down to -23 ° С.

Korean Fir Bonsai Blue

The Bonsai Blue variety has an unusual growth. The first 8 years the tree grows in width and acquires an asymmetric shape. Then the apical shoot appears. At the age of 10 years, it reaches a height of 0,5 m, and in girth – 1 m. By this time, there are already numerous cones on the branches.

The needles are blue-green in color, soft and flat. The annual growth is about 5 cm. An adult plant grows up to 3 m. The Bonsai Blue variety is planted both in the sun and in partial shade. The hybrid differs in high winter hardiness. Without shelter, it tolerates frosts down to -29 ° С.

Korean Fir Diamond

Korean fir varieties Brilliant is a valuable plant that belongs to natural dwarfs. It has compact dimensions. The shape is flat, spherical. The strength of growth is small. By the 10th year, the height does not exceed 0,4 m, and the width – 0,6 m.

The Brilliant variety has short, soft and fragrant needles. The needles are bright green above, silvery blue below. The annual growth is up to 4 cm. The plant is shaded for the winter. It is not afraid of frost down to -29 ° С.

Korean fir Compacta

Compacta is a dwarf Korean fir up to 0,8 m high. Its growth is 5-7 cm per year. The needles of the plant are short and soft. They are dark green above and silvery blue below. Young shoots are bright green. Cones up to 15 cm long appear on the tree. When ripe, they change color from green to purple and brown.

The Compact variety has an open cushion-shaped crown. The height of the tree does not exceed 2 m. The circumference of the crown is 1,5 – 3 m. The tree grows slowly, does not tolerate sunburn and moisture stagnation. Its winter hardiness is average, up to -20 ° С.

Korean Fir Kohouts Ice Breaker

Dwarf hybrid with a flat crown. Has a decorative look at any time of the year. At the age of 10, it grows 25 cm high and 50 cm wide. A plant over 25 years old reaches 80 cm in height and 120 cm in girth. The branches are numerous and short. The tree gives an annual growth of 4 cm.

The needles of the Kokhoust variety are twisted in such a way that its lower silvery side is visible. The crown of the tree is rounded, cushion-shaped. The Korean species of Kokhoust prefers sunny places and well-drained soil. Korean fir in winter is able to tolerate temperatures down to -23 ° C without shelter.

Korean fir Molly

According to the description, the Korean Molly fir reaches a height of 4-7 m. At the same time, the crown is up to 3 m in circumference. The trees produce many bluish-purple cones 5 cm long. This Korean species gives an increase of up to 7 cm per year. Has a smooth and straight trunk. Its shoots branch strongly, depart at an angle in different directions.

The crown of the Molly variety is wide, conical in shape. The needles are thick, flat, medium length. The color is rich green with a bluish undertone. Tree pruning is not required. Young shoots are bright green. The cones of the plant are large, bluish-violet.

Variety Molly prefers sunny areas, sensitive to temperature changes during the day. In the shade, the branches stretch out, the crown becomes looser. Trees are frost resistant.

Korean fir Oberon

Korean fir Oberon is a dwarf hybrid. Differs in a crown in the form of a cone. The needles are bright green, short and glossy. The height at the age of 10 years is on average 0,4 m, and the width is 0,6 cm. Often the plant does not reach even 30 cm. The growth of the tree is up to 7 cm per year.

On the shoots of the plant are soft needles with wrapped edges. Upright cones grow on two-year-old branches. Their scales are dense and resinous.

The Korean variety Oberon needs fertile, moist soil. For the first time after planting, the plant is provided with partial shade. The frost resistance of the hybrid is up to -29 ° C.

Korean fir Silverlock

Korean fir Silberlocke stands out with a conical crown. Sometimes the plant has several tops. At the age of 10 years, its height reaches from 1,2 to 1,8 m. The needles are curved, which allows you to see their lighter underside. The hybrid got its name precisely because of this property: Silberlocke is translated from English as “silver curl”.

The Korean variety Silberlok develops slowly, its annual growth does not exceed 5 cm. It gives dark purple cones, up to 7 cm long. It is allowed to plant the plant in the sun or in partial shade, but it is recommended to protect the tree from sunburn.

Korean Fir Silver

Silver is another representative of the Korean fir with blue cones. This is a low-growing tree no more than 6 m high. Its crown is narrow, conical in shape, very dense. In the lower part, its diameter is no more than 1,5 m. The needles of the plant are short, no more than 2 cm in length. On the one hand, the needles have a bluish-green tone, on the other – silver. The color of the needles is very bright, compared to other varieties.

Numerous cylindrical cones up to 7 cm long grow on the shoots. Their growth begins at a young age. After maturation, the cones are green, purple and reddish in color.

Korean fir Tundra

Dwarf variety, has a symmetrical dense cushion-shaped crown. Its height is up to 40 cm, in girth – no more than 0,6 m. At the age of 10 years, the tree grows up to 30 cm, develops slowly.

Young shoots are bright green. The needles do not change color in winter. The needles of the plant are soft, short, glossy, silver on the underside. The variety is unpretentious, tolerates shade well, but is sensitive to lack of moisture and develops worse on sandy soils. Its winter hardiness is up to -29 ° С.

Growing Korean fir in the suburbs

Korean fir takes root well in the Moscow region. It is best to buy a seedling from a local nursery. Such plants are adapted to the conditions of the middle zone.

Most of the region belongs to the fourth climatic zone. For planting, choose varieties that can withstand temperatures as low as -29 ° C. If you use less winter-hardy hybrids, then there is a high risk of freezing their tops. Such plants definitely need shelter for the winter.

The best varieties for growing in the suburbs:

• Bonsai Blue;
• Diamond;
• Oberon;
• Tundra.

Planting and caring for Korean fir

For cultivation, seedlings younger than four years old are chosen. Fir is planted in Korean spring in April. For work, it is better to wait for a cloudy day when there is no direct sunlight. A prerequisite is fertile moist soil. The tree develops well on loam. If moisture stagnates in the soil, then river sand is added to it or a drainage layer is made at the bottom of the pit. Broken brick or expanded clay is used as drainage.

It is allowed to plant Korean fir in the fall. Then choose a period in late summer or early autumn. Plants take root in a new place before the onset of cold weather. The order of work does not depend on the selected period.

Instructions for planting fir:

1. Pits are dug on the site with a diameter of 50 cm to a depth of 60 cm. The dimensions are adjusted depending on the size of the seedling. The pit is left for 2 – 3 weeks for the soil to shrink.
2. Pour 2 buckets of water into the bottom. The soil is dug up and a drainage layer 5 cm thick is poured.
3. The pit is half-filled with a substrate containing compost, clay, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:2:1:1. Additionally, 10 kg of sawdust and 250 g of Nitrofoska fertilizer are added to it.
4. After 3 weeks, they start landing. To do this, fertile soil is poured into the pit to form a hill.
5. A plant is placed on top, its roots are straightened. The root neck is placed at ground level.
6. The roots are covered with the remaining substrate, which is carefully compacted.
7. Fir is abundantly watered.

When planting different trees, at least 2,5 – 3 m are left between them. At first, the seedling is not watered. From the hot sun it is covered with paper caps.

Crop care includes watering and fertilizing. After adding moisture, the soil is loosened. A layer of mulch from peat or sawdust is poured into the trunk circle. Feeding starts from the 2nd – 3rd year. In the spring, 100 g of Kemira’s fertilizer is applied to the near-trunk circle. Any mineral complex for coniferous trees is suitable for top dressing.

For the winter, young fir is covered with agrofiber. The insulation is attached to a wooden frame. Humus or sawdust is poured into the trunk circle.

Korean fir haircut

In Korean species, the crown is formed naturally. It is enough to cut dry, broken and diseased shoots. The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn, when there is no active sap flow. Dwarf hybrids do not need such treatment.

Features of caring for Korean fir at home

Care and cultivation of Korean fir at home have their own characteristics. For planting choose dwarf hybrids that grow slowly. After buying a seedling, it is kept in cool conditions. When the tree adapts, they begin to transplant it.

To do this, be sure to purchase a container with drainage holes and a pallet. For fir, a pot with a volume of 5 – 10 liters is suitable. Every two years in the fall, the tree is transplanted into a larger container. A nutritious neutral substrate is prepared for fir. The desired soil is purchased at a garden store or obtained by mixing peat, sand and soddy soil.

Caring for a tree at home includes spraying with warm water in the heat. You also need to make sure that the soil does not dry out. In the spring, fertilizing with complex fertilizer will be effective.

How to propagate Korean fir

For propagation of Korean fir, one of the methods is chosen: seeds, cuttings or layering. The process is quite slow and takes a long time.

How to grow Korean fir from seeds

To grow Korean fir from seeds, it is important to properly prepare the cones. The fact is that when they ripen, the seeds immediately scatter, so it is difficult to collect them. It is best to find an immature bud and keep it in a dry place. After it dries, you can remove the seeds and place them in a cool place. Planting material should be kept in a refrigerator or basement with high humidity.

How to grow Korean fir from seeds:

1. For planting, a substrate is prepared, consisting of soddy soil and sand. Seeds are planted in containers or immediately on the beds.
2. In April, the seeds are deepened by 2 cm. The planting is covered with a film on top. It is not necessary to water the soil.
3. Periodically, the film is turned over to provide access to fresh air.
4. After 4 weeks, the first shoots appear.
5. During the season, Korean fir is watered. The soil is loosened and weeded from weeds.
6. For the winter, plants are covered with spruce branches.

The next year, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place. During the first 3 – 4 years, the plant reaches a height of 40 cm. During this period, the root system grows. The tree then develops much faster.

Propagation of Korean fir by cuttings

Cuttings are a method of propagation of fir, which allows you to save the varietal characteristics of the plant. From the parent tree, annual shoots with an apical bud are selected. It is recommended not to cut off the processes, but to tear them off sharply. Then a “heel” is formed at the cutting, which can increase the chance of its rooting.

The procedure is carried out in the spring, until the sap flow begins. To protect the cuttings from fungal diseases, they are dipped in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The place of the cut at the mother tree is treated with garden pitch and wrapped with a film.

Order of rooting cuttings:

1. The shoots are placed in a substrate consisting of fertile soil, humus and sand.
2. The container is covered with a transparent jar and kept warm. Plants are aired daily.
3. For the winter, Korean fir is removed to the basement or cellar. The cuttings are protected from moisture.
4. In the spring, the containers are transferred to fresh air. In autumn, fir is planted in a permanent place.

The cutting process takes a long time. The root system of the plant is formed only after 8 – 9 months. The first 10 years the tree develops slowly. Then the strength of growth increases and remains so until old age.

Reproduction by layers

For reproduction by layering, strong young shoots of fir are chosen. In the spring they are bent to the ground and secured with a metal bracket or wire. First, furrows are dug 5 cm deep.

They take care of the layering all season: water it, weed weeds, mulch with humus. For the winter they are additionally covered. After 1 – 2 years, the plants are separated from the mother tree and transplanted to a permanent place. It is best to trim the layers in several stages.

When propagated by layering, varietal characteristics are not lost. However, often with this method it is not possible to preserve the pyramidal crown: the shape of young trees can be twisted.

Pests and diseases of Korean fir

Korean fir is resistant to diseases and pests. Fungal infections are the most dangerous. The needles turn yellow on the shoots and brown spots spread. These are signs of rust carried by a harmful fungus. Sick branches are removed, garden var is applied to the sections. The crown is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid at a concentration of 2%.

Preparations containing copper are effective against fungal diseases. For prevention, plants are treated in early spring after the snow melts. The reason for the appearance of the fungus is high humidity. Thinning the crown and rationing watering helps to avoid diseases.

Fir often loses its decorative appearance due to Hermes, a pest of evergreen crops. This is a type of aphid that causes yellowing of the shoots. Against it, the use of Antio is recommended. In early spring, prepare a solution containing 20 g of the product per 10 liters of water. Plantings are sprayed immediately after the snow melts. This treatment is effective against other pests – leafworms and shoot moths.

Conclusion

Korean fir is a great solution for decorating a suburban area. The tree is characterized by winter hardiness and good growth in the middle lane and colder regions. During the growing season, it is important to monitor soil moisture and apply top dressing.

Korean fir reviews