Fir is a coniferous tree with numerous medicinal, decorative qualities, as well as technical characteristics of wood, thanks to which it (Fir) is widely used in many areas of human activity.
For example, both medicinal compositions and traditional wood varnishes are produced from oleoresin (resin extract from wood) of coniferous trees.
Coniferous wood - processed and unprocessed, is widely used in the construction of baths and saunas, residential buildings, artistic carvings, etc. In landscape design, Fir and other conifers are famous for their decorative properties, their ability to remain green spaces all year round, as well as their unique quality of purifying the air from harmful substances and organisms.
Types of Fir popular in landscape design
Those discussed in another article have many different species growing in different climatic zones. The most famous Fir species are the following:
- Siberian fir;
- Nordmann fir (Caucasian);
- White fir or European comb fir;
- Fir Semenov;
- Fir whole leaf;
- Whitebark fir;
- Fir Kamchatka;
- Sakhalin fir;
- Fir Myra.
Siberian fir grows in the northeastern part of Russia, Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, and China. This plant belongs to the most important forest-forming species of coniferous forests.
The height of this evergreen coniferous tree is 30 m, the trunk diameter is up to 1.5 m. Siberian fir occupies about 95% of the entire area of Fir forests.
Observations have shown that this plant regenerates well under the canopy of a variety of other tree species, due to its shade tolerance.
As a beautiful ornamental plant, Siberian Fir is planted in gardens and parks.
Nordmann fir (Caucasian) grows in the Western Caucasus, on the Black Sea coast of Russia, in Turkey - along the slopes of the Pontic Mountains. This is an evergreen coniferous tree, Fir, 40-50 m high. In dense forests it can be found up to 70 m high. The tree trunk, whose diameter is 1.5-2 m, is smooth, ash-gray in color. The crown is dense, cone-shaped; branches are low-hanging.
The needles are shiny, dark green. The cones are located on the branches of the tree like candles on a Christmas tree. Ripe cones crumble into pieces, while seeds and scales fall to the ground. All that remains on the tree is a thin, sharp, protruding rod.
Fir grows relatively quickly and lives up to 600-700 years; occurs by seeds, the soil for growing should be loamy. This shade-tolerant plant, however, can grow in well-lit areas. It is often damaged by severe frosts and late spring frosts.
Nordmann fir has high quality wood, the supply of which is 800-900 m3 per 1 Ha, and the maximum is up to 2200 m3 per 1 Ha. In the Western Caucasus, at an altitude of 1200-2000 m, they form vast mountain meadows, often consisting of pure trees or mixed with Eastern Spruce and Beech. It is recommended to plant it in woodland and forest-steppe.
White Fir (European Comb) grows in the mountains of Central, Southern, Western Europe, in the Carpathians, in Beloverzhskaya Pushcha.
This is an evergreen coniferous, highly productive tree, the height of which is 40-65 m, the trunk diameter is up to 2 m.
Having a whitish lower surface of the needles is called white. The plant has low frost resistance, so growing it in more northern regions is impossible.
The young plants of this plant are readily eaten by deer and roe deer.
Fir Semenova distributed in Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia), in the mountains of the Talas Alatau and Sotkal Ranges. Grows on shady slopes and in gorges, at altitudes from 1350 to 2800 m; as part of mixed forests with different broad-leaved species, often with walnut. This is an evergreen coniferous tree of great water conservation importance.
This tall tree (over 30 m), with a low-hanging, columnar crown, is morphologically close to Siberian Fir, but is somewhat sharply different. The needles of the Semenov Fir are longer - up to 4 cm, thick - up to 2 cm. The seed scales differ in width on the larger side, with the edges more gently rounded; The same applies to covering scales.
As for landscaping, Semenova Fir is valued for its decorative properties, which is why it is used in the practice of arranging landscape design and landscaping gardening areas in the Caucasus, Crimea and South-West Ukraine, Belarus.
Fir the largest, frost-resistant Fir of the Far East. It grows well in both dark coniferous and deciduous forests of this region. It forms both pure stands and is part of black fir-broad-leaved forests. In the mountains, at an altitude of up to 500 m above sea level.
This plant is a fast-growing plant and can reach a height of up to 30 m at the age of 100 years. But at the same time, expect slow growth in the first 6, maybe 10 years. In general, the Entireleaf Fir, according to various sources, reaches a height of 45 or 55 m, the trunk is 2 m in diameter. This coniferous tree is the largest in the Far East.
The tree has a thick, wide bark, grayish-brown in young trees, dark brown in old ones. In young trees the bark is slightly peeling, in old trees it is deeply cracked in the longitudinal direction, and in overmature trees it is also cracked in the transverse direction.
The needles of the whole-leaved fir are light green on top, generally single and flat, the length of which is 2.5-4.5 cm, width - 2-3 mm. Cone diameter – 3-4 cm, height – 6-14 cm; seed germination is about 40%, weight – 49.3 g/1000 pieces.
White Fir widespread in the Far Eastern taiga, in mountain forests. But since its wood is often affected by rot, it is little exploited. Its peculiarity is that the leafy ends of the branches are rich in the content of a special essential oil, from which camphor is extracted.
The bark of the White Fir contains many resin-bearing containers filled with a special natural balm consisting of resin (70%) and essential oil (30%). It is used for gluing lenses in optics.
The variety, as such, differs little from Siberian Fir, having a similar crown shape and size. A rather decorative and fragrant breed, which insect pests are practically unable to overcome due to its ether-resin secretions.
Fir Kamchatka (or Thin, Graceful, Elegant) grows on the banks of the Kamchatka River. This evergreen coniferous tree forms unique decorative colorful plantings mixed with Birch, Dour Larch and Ayan Spruce.
The tree reaches a height of 15 m, the shape of its crown is oval-pyramidal, dense; smooth, gray trunk bark. The length of the needles is 10-30 mm, width is 1-1.5 mm, with a flat arrangement. It is also distinguished by the small size of the cones (2.5-5 cm), almost cylindrical in shape. The covering scales have a sharp end and are shorter in length than the seed scales (which have thick, red pubescence).
Sakhalin fir grows on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, often together with Ayan Spruce. The height of the tree trunk is up to 30 m, the diameter is about 1 m. The crown is sharp, dense, pyramidal in shape, with branches slightly curved upward.
The bark of the tree, like White Fir, is smooth, dark gray in color, darkens with age with the formation of numerous resin reservoirs (“nodules”) filled with fir balsam.
The needles are dark green, 2-4 cm long, 2 mm wide, soft, dark green, with white or bluish stomatal stripes on the back of the needles, rounded at the apex.
The cones are 5-8 cm long, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, vertical, cylindrical in shape with a rounded or blunt apex and rounded at the base; brown or bluish-black. When the cones ripen, they crumble, and only the rods remain, which remain on the branch for another 1-2 years.
Fir Myra grows in southern Sakhalin and the islands of Japan, in the southwestern part of Hokkaido. Similar to Sakhalin, so see the fir tree photo above; height - up to 35 m, has a peculiarity in the form of an oval blunt crown, smooth bark until old age. The needles of the Myra Fir are shorter and narrower; on cone-bearing shoots, they have a rounded/notched tip with striking-looking scales bent back.
In the practice of landscaping garden plots, landscape design is practically not used, mainly for dendrological gardens. This is due to the fact that Myra Fir does not have any outstanding decorative qualities compared to the same Sakhalin Fir.
North American Fir species
In the arboretums and botanical gardens of the Black Sea coast of Russia, the Caucasus and Crimea, Fir species and varieties grow that belong to the North American and Mediterranean species. These include:
- Fir Unicolor;
- Noble fir;
- Fir Great;
- Fir Magnificent;
- Balsam fir (Canadian).
Fir Unicolor grows in the mountains of Western North America, as well as along river valleys and shady slopes. Tree height is 25-60 m, trunk diameter is 40-180 cm. The crown is cone-shaped, dense in youth, low pubescent.
The needles are bluish in color, lush, and later loose. There are garden forms of Monochrome Fir with bluish-white or golden needles.
These are light-loving, winter-smoke-resistant plants. Growing requires nutritious, moist soils. The plant suffers from dry air. Lives up to 350 years. It is recommended to plant single-colored Fir in the Northern and Western regions of Ukraine.
Noble fir extends north from the Cascade Mountains (North America), replacing the Magnificent Fir, which grows as far as the Cascade Mountains. The height of the tree is 30-60 m and 50-100 cm in diameter, which has a cone-shaped, low-slung crown, which, with aging, becomes dome-shaped, highly raised.
The bark of the trunk and branches of the Noble Fir is gray in color, darkening in old age and slightly fissured, thin, rusty brown in places of young shoots. The needles are bluish-green, 25-35 mm long and approximately 1.5 mm wide. The apex of the needles is sharp or blunt, the arrangement is comb or flat; with stomata on both sides. Lives 700 years or more.
Noble Fir cones are cylindrical in shape, 10-20 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. They have covering scales bent downwards, which are much longer than the seed scales. The seeds are dull brown in color, 10-12 mm long; germination percentage – 40-50%; concentration per 1 kg – 35-43,000 pieces.
Fir Great grows in Canada, as well as in such US states as Idaho, California, Montana, Washington, Oregon. It is found along river valleys, slopes, at an altitude of 2100 m from ocean level. It grows in humid climates near the sea, and also tolerates other (continental) conditions. Grows in mixed forests, with deciduous and other coniferous species. It began to spread in Europe in 1831, where its main use was decorative, in landscape design and gardening.
The height of the Great Fir tree reaches 35-50 m, the diameter of its trunk is 60-120 cm. The trunk bark of old trees is dark brown in color, with longitudinal cracking; in young ones it is olive-green in color, with slight pubescence. The crown of the Great Fir is cone-shaped (in youth), dome-shaped (in maturity).
The needles of the Great Fir are dark green in color, shiny on the upper side, with white stripes below, 20-35 mm long and 2-2.5 mm wide. The cones are oval-cylindrical in shape, reach 5-11 cm in length, 2-4 cm in diameter. The number of seeds in 1 kg is 45-80 thousand. Fruiting is abundant, in the 20th year of life. Abundant yield occurs over a period of 2-3 years. The plant itself lives 200-250 years.
Fir Magnificent grows in the western regions of the USA, at an altitude of 1400-2700 meters above sea level, in the states of California, Oregon, Nevada; forms mixed forests with other coniferous species. There is a similarity with the Noble Fir, but the difference is the structure of the leaves, since they have a longitudinal groove in the upper part of the Noble Fir, which is not observed in the leaves of the Magnificent Fir. The leaves of the Magnificent Fir are not so densely spaced.
The height of the tree reaches 57 m, and the trunk is up to 250 cm thick. The bark of the tree is thin, grayish in color, which thickens with age, accompanied by the appearance of deep cracks and thick growths. The crown is narrow and cone-shaped, the branches in its upper part are directed upward, in the lower part - downward. The arrangement of branches is whorled or opposite; color is yellowish brown or light yellow, with red pubescence during the first couple of years.
The needles (leaves) are 2-3.7 cm long, 2 mm thick, mostly single-row, flexible, with the smell of camphor. In the middle they are pressed to the branch by 2-3 mm, at the ends they move away. Flat or trapezoidal (on fruiting branches), grayish-green stripes are visible in the lower part, each of which has 4-5 stomatal lines. In the upper part, the leaf is blue-green in color, with a range of up to silver-blue, with one grayish-green stripe, sometimes spread closer to the crown. Interspersed stomatal bands are also present in the line, in the amount of 8-13 pieces.
The cones of the Magnificent Fir (male) are purple or red-brown during pollination. Females are ovoid-cylindrical in shape, 15-20 cm long, 7-10 cm thick. At first the color is purple, then yellowish/greenish-brown. The scales of the cones measure 3x4 cm, the bracts are pressed or protrude. Seeds are 15 cm long, 6 mm wide, dark reddish brown.
Balsam or Canadian fir in Canada it is the most important forest-forming species and the source of Canada balsam. In addition, having unusually beautiful, decorative forms, it is used in landscaping. Balsam fir has a height of 15-25 m, its crown is regularly shaped, cone-shaped, pubescent and reaches the ground. The trunk and mature branches have grey-brown, smooth bark.
The needles of the Canadian Fir are 1.5-2.5 cm long, blunt or slightly notched at the end, at the top they have a dark green shiny color, with whitish stripes below. The arrangement on the branches is comb-shaped. The cones have an oval-cylindrical shape, a length of 5-10 cm, a diameter of 2-2.5 cm. The color of the cone at the beginning of its formation is dark purple. Canadian or Balsam fir lives 150-200 years.
In cultivation, this variety of Fir has relative frost resistance and is also quite gas-resistant vegetation. It grows quite well on moist alluvial and loamy soils, but rather poorly on podzolic and sandy soils. It is advisable to plant tapeworms and small groups.
Mediterranean Fir species
Some varieties of Fir (Mediterranean) have been adapted and are able to grow in both arid and rather frosty regions of the Eurasian space. Of these, special attention is paid to:
- Algerian fir (Numedia);
- Cilician fir.
Algerian fir (Numidian) - a coniferous tree growing in Algeria, over an area of several km2, as well as in Kabali along the northern slope of the Babor and Tababor peaks, at altitudes of 1800-2000 m. The soil in these regions is very rocky, calcareous, while Algerian Fir lives and develops well in such soils.
Coniferous foliage is 15 mm long, on healthier shoots up to 25 mm; width – 2.5 mm. Dark green in color, the needles are flat, twisted at the base, rounded or slightly dimpled at the top. Young plants have pointed needles, dark green in color, with two white stripes below.
Numidian Fir cones are elongated-cylindrical, obtuse, reach 15-20 cm in length, 4-6 cm in width, gray-brown in color. The seed scales are wide at the top, with ears, and deeply pitted at the base.
It is cultivated in the southern regions of Crimea, as well as in the south-west of Ukraine, the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus (Sochi, Adler, Sukhumi). Cultivated Algerian (Numidian) Fir turned out to be quite frost-resistant. The 50-year-old tree reaches a height of 15 m.
Cilician fir , drought-resistant, originates from the mountainous regions of Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. It is part of mixed forests and can also form pure stands at an altitude of 1300-2000 m. This Fir is a coniferous tree that is a slow-growing tree and prefers abundant light or semi-shaded areas with well-drained soils.
The crown of the Cilician Fir is pyramidal in shape: narrow, branches rising upward from the ground itself, height up to 25-35 m, trunk diameter up to 2.1 m. The bark of the tree is smooth, ash-gray in color, and over time, as it ages, it becomes covered with cracks. The needles are dark green above, with several (2-3) rows of stomata, light green below, stomata arranged in 6-7 rows. Length – 20-40 mm, width – 1.5-3 mm.
Korean fir can rightfully be called a beauty with stunning decorative properties. From the name of the plant it becomes clear that its homeland is Korea, namely its southern highlands. This is an evergreen tree with a dense, luxurious crown. The cones have a rather original appearance, significantly different from spruce ones with their cylindrical shape and violet-purple palette. The undeniable advantages include a persistent tart aroma that has healing properties - it is a real storehouse of substances that kill pathogenic microbes.
Main types of Korean fir
Today, about 50 varieties of Korean fir are known, which are represented by both dwarf decorative varieties, the height of which does not exceed half a meter, and tall ones. They are united by pyramidal crown shapes and spreading branches with oval cones. The following varieties stand out among the most cultivated:
Aurea- a small tree with a canonical crown. Young shoots are golden, and adult needles have a rich green color. A medium-sized fir reaches one and a half meters in height by the age of ten;
Piccolo- an even smaller variety, the trunk height of which does not exceed 35 cm in maturity, but the crown grows up to 1.5 m. The plant is an excellent option for the landscape of alpine hills;
Brevifolia- a slow-growing genus, which reaches 1 m at the age of ten. Lush branches boast shiny green needles and small purple cones;
Taiga- a miniature variety belonging to the creeping category. It is quite in demand in gardening. The height of the tree does not exceed 1/3 m, and the crown branches in diameter a little more than half a meter. The plant has an original bright green color with a noticeable bluish tint;
Diamond– one of the most valuable relic crops. The plant is a small cushion-shaped tree with a mixed palette - the upper part is covered with green needles, and the lower part is covered with silver.
In addition to the varieties discussed, many other species are grown in European countries, for example, Thordis, Pancake, Blue Heat, etc., photos of which can be found in the following photo gallery.
Proper care of Korean fir
Creating favorable conditions for a plant is not at all difficult. It is important to choose a suitable site for planting, monitor the condition of the soil, its moisture, and carry out periodic loosening. To form a beautiful, regular crown of Korean fir, it is necessary to remove damaged and dried branches in a timely manner. Following some of the rules given below will help you avoid diseases.
Lighting
Korean fir is a fairly shade-tolerant crop, but it is still better to plant it in well-lit areas. The plant needs partial shade in the first years of its life, and then it can be transplanted to open areas without being careful of being in direct sunlight.
Temperature
Although Korean fir is a native of the tropical zone, its growth high in the mountains has affected its ability to withstand significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. Most plant varieties are frost-resistant and can tolerate winter frosts down to -28C, and some even down to -35C. The exception is young specimens, which are covered for the winter for the first few years.
Humidity
The plant feels more comfortable in conditions of high humidity, so in the summer, when there is no rain for a long time, in addition to watering, it is necessary to moisten the crown at least once a week. Soil swampiness has a negative impact on crop development. To avoid this, even during planting it is necessary to provide a high-quality drainage layer and mulch the soil.
Watering
In autumn and spring, Korean fir is watered periodically when the top layer of soil begins to dry out, but generally rainfall is sufficient for the crop. In hot summers, abundant watering is required: 20 liters of water per specimen every week. The young plant also needs more frequent drinking during the first month after planting. At this time it is watered every day.
Fertilizers and fertilizing
The first two years after planting, Korean fir does not need additional feeding - the soil is sufficiently nutritious for it. In the future, every spring it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers to the soil in a complex composition. To accelerate the growth of the plant to some extent, it is necessary to sprinkle the top layer of soil with mulch, a layer of about 5 cm, with the addition of peat and sawdust.
Pests and diseases
A common cause of Korean fir disease is sudden temperature fluctuations, when needles fall and loss of decorative properties is observed. Sometimes this even leads to irreversible consequences. The plant can suffer from different types of rot that arise due to improper maintenance conditions.
Much more damage to the plant is caused by pests, for example, aphids and their larvae that feed on pine sap. Hermes disease manifests itself as a white coating on the needles. Also dangerous are moths and silkworms, which can be destroyed by treating the plant with insecticides.
Plants change their place of residence in the spring, when the buds have not yet bloomed. To do this, it is necessary to prepare a planting hole in advance, no deeper than 80 cm. Pour a couple of buckets of water into it and fill it with a drainage layer of crushed stone or crushed brick. Separately, you need to prepare the soil by mixing clay, peat, sand and humus, and add sawdust and soluble mineral fertilizers.
With this soil, the planting pit is filled to half its depth, and a low mound is formed on which the tree is placed. The roots should be carefully spread around the mound and covered with soil. In this case, the root collar should remain visible above the ground. The planting site is thoroughly watered and mulched.
Reproduction
Korean fir reproduces safely at home. To do this, use one of several methods.
Growing fir seedlings from seeds is one of the most difficult methods. First of all, planting material must be obtained, and often the seeds simply scatter from the ripe cones. It is necessary to take the still unopened cone, dry it, remove the seeds and send them to a cold place for stratification. The material is sown in the first ten days of April and the bed is covered with film, creating a greenhouse. When the first shoots appear, the protection must be removed. The bed is regularly watered, weeded and loosened. Transplantation to a permanent place is carried out after a year.
Korean fir cuttings are a fairly popular method among gardeners, although they take a long time to form roots. The material chosen is annual shoots no longer than 8 cm. They must be plucked so that a fragment of the mother wood (heel) remains.
Before planting, the cuttings are treated with foundationazole to eliminate possible infections. It is also advisable to sterilize the soil mixture for half an hour in the oven. The cuttings planted in the container are covered with film or glass. During the wintering period, the bed is moved to a basement with a lower temperature, and in the spring it is left in the fresh air. Rooting will occur no earlier than in the second year.
This method is considered one of the simplest. The bottom line is that you need to lightly dig in one of the lower branches of the tree and fix it in a previously prepared trench. Rooting will occur within two years. An interesting fact is that in this way the fir can reproduce without human intervention - it is enough for the branch to come into contact with the ground. The disadvantage of this method is the risk of the newly created crop losing its cone-shaped crown.
Korean fir - photo
Korean fir occupies a special place in landscape design. Its characteristics such as slow growth (about 5 cm per year) and decorativeness at any time of the year make it possible to preserve the desired landscape compositions for a long time. Its various varieties are perfect for landscaping suburban home areas and combine well with both coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. The photo gallery will tell you more about the fir. Enjoy watching!
Korean fir is always green and lives for a very long time without additional pruning and crown formation. Belongs to the fir family and is native to the south of the Korean Peninsula. Hence its name. The shape of the plant resembles a pyramid (cone). The tree can even live up to 150 years.
You can find it in the Northern Hemisphere and South Korea. Its growth rate is much slower than that of spruce, with an average increase of 3-5 centimeters every year.
Description of the species: leaves in the form of flat needles, 1-2 centimeters long and 2-2.5 millimeters thick, shiny greenish in the upper part, and with two stripes of a bright white shade in the lower part, with a small number of teeth at the tip.
Its cones can range from blue to purple. Their size, for the most part, is 4-7 centimeters in length and up to 2 centimeters in width.
It is very hardy and grows well in both sunny and shaded areas, but does best when exposed to direct sunlight as its crown becomes more attractive.
Propagation by seeds and cuttings is acceptable. Fir of this species grows up to 10-18 meters in height with a trunk diameter of up to 70 centimeters.
Varieties of Korean fir for landscape design include several species that have the greatest lushness and excellent decorative properties throughout the calendar year.
Look at the photo at some varieties of Korean fir, which perfectly decorate garden plots in various areas:
Description and photos of Korean fir varieties
A brief description of the varieties of Korean fir allows you to make the right choice, and photos will illustrate the external aesthetic properties.
Korean fir “Brilliant” and “Silberlocke”.
Korean fir “Diamond” is a very valuable plant, as it is not an artificial, but a natural dwarf. The dwarf variety feels great in containers; this plant has a neat cushion-shaped crown.
Its needles are short, but have signs of density and softness. The needles are shiny, colored in the upper part with dark green or bright green, and in the lower part with white-blue or silvery longitudinal stripes.
The needles of this variety of Korean fir are quite aromatized, the edges are curled towards the bottom and reach two centimeters in length.
This is a slow growing tree, growing three to four centimeters in length per year. And at 10 years old, the height is only 40 centimeters with a width of 60 centimeters. This dwarf plant can even live up to 300 years.
To plant it, it is advisable to choose semi-shaded or sunny places for it, but without wind. It is recommended to place young plants in partial shade and hide from the sun in spring and summer.
It is better to choose slightly acidic soil for planting, with adequate drainage. Fir is quite cold-resistant. Temperatures of minus 29 degrees are not scary for her.
Korean fir "Silberlock" has a cone-shaped crown, often with several peaks. At the age of 10 years, the length grows to 120-180 centimeters. Its needles are curved, their lower part is white.
This is a slow-growing fir, as it has overly curved needles, which, if you look at it from afar, appear silvery. This is where this variety of fir got its name - “silberblocke” means “silver curl”.
In some cases, the tree may appear to be covered in frost. The cones of this variety of Korean fir are purple, cone-shaped, 7 centimeters long.
Prefers acidic soil with a small amount of alkali. Loves light, but, in turn, is shade-tolerant. Cold-resistant plant.
During snowy winter periods, due to snow sticking to the branches, they may break, so a holding frame should be installed.
Korean fir "Molli" and "Blue Magic"
Korean fir "Molly" can grow up to seven meters in length with a three-meter crown. Trees of this variety are covered in large quantities with cones. They have a blue-violet hue. Their length is 5 centimeters.
It grows quite slowly. Over the course of a year, he gains 6-7 centimeters, no more. The trunk is straight and even. The crown has a conical shape and does not require pruning, since it initially independently forms the correct shape.
The needles of the plant are flat, but thick, have a bright green color with a bluish tint. The lower part of the needles is bluish-white. Its cones are large and blue-violet in color.
The plant feels much better in illuminated places and does not like sudden changes in ambient temperature. If it is in a dark place, the shoots begin to stretch out and the crown becomes loose.
Cold resistant. Needs moist soil with drainage.
Korean fir "Blue Magic" is a dense shrub that annually grows in length by 6-10 centimeters, and at 10 years its height is 1 meter with a width of 80 centimeters.
Crown in the shape of a pyramid. The needles are dark blue-green, the lower part is silver. The cones are purple. Prefers a semi-shaded place.
The soil should be acidic or slightly acidic, moist and equipped with drainage. The place where it grows must be protected from the wind.
"Dark Hill", "Oberon" and other varieties
Korean fir "Dark Hill" prefers to be in direct sun or partial shade. The soil should be equipped with drainage, slightly acidic and moderately moist. Frost-resistant.
In 10 years it reaches 40 centimeters. Crown diameter is 50-70 centimeters at the age of 10 years. Dwarf, shaped like a pillow, asymmetrical. The needles are hard, short, dark green in color, and shiny.
"Oberon" is a dwarf variety of Korean fir, its crown has the shape of a dome. The needles are bright green. At 10 years old, its height is approximately 40 centimeters with a width of 60 centimeters. Needs moist soil.
It prefers a semi-shaded area at first, and then it is advisable to provide it with full lighting. Grows well in soils equipped with drainage, without excess moisture.
The cones are small in size, but there are quite a lot of them, and they all grow vertically. The cones are thickly impregnated with resin; they appear in the first year.
It is advisable to plant in the ground in spring or autumn. To do this, it is initially recommended to dig a hole twice as large as the volume of the entire fir root system.
You need to put compost at the bottom, and then place a pre-moistened ball of roots there so that it is level with the surface of the earth.
Around the trunk you will need to make a small depression through which to water the seedling well so that the soil near the roots is sufficiently saturated with moisture. Finally, it is advisable to mulch the soil.
Korean fir "Doni Tajuso" prefers sunny or semi-shaded places. The soil must be equipped with drainage, slightly acidic and moist. Frost-resistant.
At 10 years old, its height is a maximum of 30 centimeters. The crown diameter is about 30 centimeters at the age of 10 years. The shape of the crown resembles a pillow. The needles are not soft, short, light green in color, with shine.
"Ottostrasse" prefers a sunny or semi-shaded place; there are no special requirements for the soil; it is moderately moisture-loving and frost-resistant. It grows up to 50 centimeters in height. The crown is 120 centimeters in diameter, cone-shaped. Every year it grows by 3–5 centimeters.
The needles are soft, short, in the upper part - bright green, shiny, in the lower part - two longitudinal silver stripes. The cones are arranged vertically, shaded, about seven centimeters long and up to two centimeters wide.
Korean fir "Select" prefers sunny or semi-shaded areas that are protected from the wind. Grows well in slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Grows up to 4 meters. The crown is up to three meters in diameter. It has the shape of a wide cone. It grows 10-20 centimeters per year.
The needles are short, 2-3 centimeters in length, soft, the upper part is dark green and glossy, the lower part has two silver stripes. The cones are purple-blue, up to three centimeters long.
Korean fir "Cis" (Cis) loves sunny or semi-shaded places, is not demanding on the soil, and is cold-resistant. It reaches a height of 80 centimeters. The crown grows up to 120 centimeters in diameter, so it has the shape of a ball. Every year it grows by 3-5 centimeters.
The needles are soft, the upper part is green, glossy, and the lower part has two silver stripes. The cones are violet-purple in color, 5-7 centimeters long and approximately 2 centimeters wide.
Korean fir "Kristallkugel" grows well in sunny or semi-shaded areas. It is not demanding on the soil and is frost-resistant. Its height is up to 50 centimeters, a dwarf. The crown can be 2 meters in diameter. The shape is pillow-shaped.
The needles are soft, the upper part is bright green, the lower part has two silver stripes. The cones are violet-purple in color, 5-7 centimeters long and approximately 2 centimeters wide.
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It grows in the coniferous forest zone of North America, Canada and the USA, reaching almost to the tundra zone, and in the mountains to the upper border of the forest (1500-2500 m). It is often found in low-lying areas and near water bodies in a mixture with other species; it forms pure stands in swamps and high in the mountains. Shade-tolerant. The most common fir in North America. It is considered short-lived, living up to 150-200 years.
Abies balsamea "Nana"
Photo by EDSR.
The tree is 15-25 m high, with a trunk up to 50 (-70) cm in diameter, with a regularly cone-shaped dense, low-slung crown. The bark of young trees is ash-gray, smooth, with a large number of balsam (gum) nodules, then with age it turns reddish-brown, finely and irregularly fissured. Young shoots are initially green, covered with short, strong, erect hairs, then red-brown, glabrous. The buds are spherical or ovoid, resinous, greenish with a characteristic pale purple tint. Needles 15-25 (-35) mm long, 2 mm wide, dark green above, shiny, with 4-7 stomatal lines running along the entire needle near the midrib, below with 6-9 stomatal lines on both sides keels, blunt or slightly notched at the apex, last 4-7 years, aromatic when rubbed. The needles on the shoot are located in two rows, almost perpendicular to each other, in each of the rows in the form of the Latin letter V, one in relation to the other. The cones are oval-cylindrical, 5-10 cm long, 2-2.5 cm thick, immature dark purple, mature gray-brown, highly resinous. Seed scales are about 15 mm long, 17 mm wide, broadly wedge-shaped, rounded along the upper edge, with a narrow small stalk. Covering scales are shorter than seed scales, almost rounded, serrated on top, with a short tip and a narrow, short stalk. Seed wing with a purple tint.
Shade-tolerant, frost-resistant, grows relatively quickly, shoots ripen completely. The lower branches, being covered with humus, take root easily, while the young trees growing around the mother plant create a very impressive group. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 20-30. Dusting - with an interval of 1-4 years. Reacts negatively to trampling and breaking off. Good for alley, group and single plantings. Very showy with numerous young dark purple buds. It should be borne in mind that if there is a superficial root system, it is windfall. In culture since 1697.
Abies balsamea "Piccolo"
Photo of Uspensky Igor
Used in single and small group plantings in gardens and parks throughout the forest zone of the European part of Russia; to the north - to the latitude of St. Petersburg, to the east - to Yekaterinburg, to the west - to Belarus. Not suitable for southern regions with dry climate and soils.
In GBS since 1952, 9 samples (8 copies) were obtained from Minsk, the Far East, the Trostyanets arboretum (Ukraine), VILR (Moscow), Kurnik (Poland). Tree, at 14 years height 5.9 m, trunk diameter 6.5/9.5 cm. Vegetation from 25.IV ± 4. Grows quickly, annual growth of 15 cm, less often up to 25 cm. Dust from 12.V ± 3 to 19.V ± 7, 7-8 days. The cones mature at 3.IX ± 5. They are propagated by seeds, which are sown immediately after collection, and by layering. Winter hardiness is high. Seed germination rate is 7%. Rarely found in landscaping.
In St. Petersburg since the end of the 18th century. Currently grown in the collections of the Botanical Garden BIN and the Forestry Academy. Tolerates severe winter frosts and grows well in moderately cold climates. The root system, unlike other firs, is superficial.
This species hybridizes under natural conditions with Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.), forming a hybridogenic species Abies x phanerolepis(Fern.) Liu (A. balsamea var. phanerolepis Fern.), common in the state
Virginia. Differs from Abies balsamea in smaller cones (2-5.5 cm long, 1.5-2 cm thick) and longer covering scales, reaching 2/3 of the length of the seed scales. It is grown in the collections of BIN and at the Otradnoe scientific experimental station.
A. b. var phanerolepis Fern. - P.b. clear-squamous. Tree 15-25 m tall. Canada. In GBS since 1986. In the arboretum since 1992. Seeds were obtained from the Salaspils Botanical Garden (Latvia). At 7 years, height is up to 1.8 m, trunk diameter at the root collar is 1.5 cm. Vegetation from the first ten days of May. Annual growth is about 10 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high. Not found in Moscow landscaping.
"Hudsonia" ("Hudsonia"). A dwarf mountain form from New Hampshire, where it grows along the upper border of the forest. The crown is wide. The branches are very dense, the shoots are numerous and short. The needles are short, flat, wide, black-green above, bluish-green below. Known since 1810. Rarely used in single and group plantings.
"Nana", Low ("Nana"). Dwarf form up to 50 cm tall. The crown is rounded, its diameter is 2 - 2.5 m. The branches are spreading, dense, growing horizontally. The needles are short, 4-10 mm long, thick, dark green, with two blue-white stripes below, the middle and edge are lighter, yellow-green. It grows slowly. Shade-tolerant. Frost-resistant. Propagated by cuttings or grafting. Introduced into culture in 1850. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1989. Suitable for rocky gardens, as well as for growing in containers, for landscaping terraces and roofs. It is recommended to plant in groups on the lawn or solitary in rock gardens.
Other decorative forms: gray(f. glauca) - with bluish needles; silver(f. argentea) - with white needles at the ends; motley(f. variegata) - with yellow-variegated needles; columnar(f. columnaris); prostrate(f. prostrata) - dwarf, with branches spread above the ground.
Over 50 species of fir are found in nature, which occupy the geographical areas of Central and Eastern Europe, the northern regions of Central Asia, and are widespread in Siberia and the Far East. In ornamental gardening, the 10 most popular representatives of the fir genus are used, a description of which is given in the article.
General characteristics
Most representatives of the genus Fir (Abies) share the following morphological and ecological characteristics:
- large trees with a crown in the form of a regular cone
- in many species the bark is smooth and light gray in color
- The root system is of a core structure, going deep into the interior. The largest mass of fibrous roots is located in the upper layers of the soil
At first glance, fir resembles spruce in appearance. They are especially similar to each other from afar. Coniferous trees are similar not only in appearance, but also in name. In Old Church Slavonic, spruce is called “Yalina”, and fir is called “Yalitsa”. But there are still significant differences between them:
- most fir species have smooth gray trunks with thin bark and numerous resinous nodules
- the branches form a crown of a regular conical shape, narrower and neater than that of spruce
- the needles at the ends are blunt with white longitudinal stripes
Fir is easy to distinguish when it bears fruit.. Spruce cones hang down, and fir “cobs” stick straight up. When the seeds ripen, they immediately fall out. It is impossible to pick up a cone filled with grains from the ground. If they are needed for sowing, they are looked for below or cut off along with the cones before they fall.
Most types of fir need fertile, well-aerated, moist soils.
Decorative varieties are extremely sensitive to an excess of harmful substances in the air, especially carbon dioxide and car exhaust smoke. This is the reason why, in urban environments, they are much less common than other conifers.
In landscape gardening, 9 types are most often used, as well as their breeding varieties, which are similar to each other in living conditions.
Location
- Firs are shade-tolerant plants, but grow better with sufficient lighting. They need a lot of light in the first five years after planting. Optimal conditions are sun in the morning and light partial shade in the afternoon.
- Refers to wind-resistant plants, although it is better to protect them from severe turbulence. It will withstand a draft, but will suffer and lose its decorative effect.
- Requires high humidity.
- Plants are demanding on soil conditions.
Soils
The lifespan of most cultivated species and varieties is several decades. They require fertile, rich soil with good drainage to thrive. They do not tolerate stagnant moisture at all. Even with short-term flooding, plants quickly die.
Timing and features of planting
The optimal time in spring is April. Another deadline is the end of August, beginning of September. Although, trees with a lump of earth can be planted at any time of the year when the earth is dug.
Seedlings take root better when they are 5 to 10 years old.
The size of the planting hole should be twice the size of the coma, but not less than 60 cm in diameter and 60 cm in depth. When planting, the plant is positioned so that the root collar is flush with the edge of the hole.
The soil mixture for planting fir consists of the following components:
- medium loam – 2 hours
- leaf soil or humus - 3 hours
- bottom peat – 1 hour
- coarse river sand – 1 hour
When planting, complete mineral fertilizer nitroammofoska is applied at the rate of 250 - 300 g in each hole, as well as 10 kg of forest soil or sawdust.
If fir is planted on heavy natural soils, drainage at the bottom of the hole is required. It is formed from crushed stone or crushed brick, in a layer of 15 - 20 cm, and only after that the pit is filled with nutritious soil.
Care
Fertilizing is carried out 2-3 years after planting. Typically, a universal fertilizer for coniferous plants is used - 150 g per 1 m2.
Water the fir as needed, when the top layer of soil dries out, at the rate of 15-20 liters per tree. In the hot season, the crown is sprinkled once every two weeks.
Fir favors loosening the soil and removing weeds. Recently, this process has successfully replaced mulching. It is better to use forest litter, bark, wood chips, cones, and sawdust of coniferous trees as a protective material.
Thanks to the natural shape of the crown, There is no need to trim the fir. with the exception of dry, broken and diseased branches.
Most ornamental varieties are frost-resistant plants that do not need winter protection. But in the first years of life, it is better to cover young plants to protect them from low temperatures. For this purpose, a modern material called “Spunbond” is used.
Varieties of spunbond have different names assigned by manufacturers in different countries. The following assortment is offered for sale: Agrofibre, Agrotex, Agril, Lutrasil, AgroSUF, etc.
Any of the listed types is a white non-woven fabric that allows air and moisture to pass through well, retains heat, increasing the temperature inside the shelter from 2 to 9 degrees compared to the environment.
In areas with cold climates, the material is often used to protect heat-loving fir varieties from severe frosts.
Read also:
- The importance of superphosphate as a mineral fertilizer in the care of tomatoes, potatoes, seedlings and other crops. Ways to use it in the garden (Photo & Video) + Reviews
Description of species and varieties
Of the several dozen natural species in ornamental gardening, the following botanical fir species are most often used:
- European or white
- Balsamic
- Single color
- Korean
- Mountain or subalpine
- Caucasian or Norman
- Tall or tall
- Spanish
- Arnold
Some species have breeding varieties of different sizes, shapes and colors. Read more about those that are successfully used for landscaping parks, squares and personal plots.
European - Abies alba
Botanical synonyms of the species - P. white or P. comb. In nature, it is most often found in most of Europe.
Average life expectancy is 350 – 400 years. There are many known cases of long-lived fir trees, whose age is more than 700 years.
Average height - 50 m.
Crown diameter 7 - 8 m.
The bark is smooth, light gray.
Needles, 2.5 cm long, dark green in color. The underside of the plate has two longitudinal white stripes.
The size of the cones is 15 - 16 cm.
The species is distinguished by good winter hardiness, which gains strength as the tree matures. In particularly cold winters, young plants freeze over. For this reason, they need shelter.
Severely suffers in conditions of increased air pollution, even to the point of complete death. It is not found in mass plantings; it is easier to find the species in a botanical garden or in a well-groomed area where a professional works.
Balsamic – Abies balsamea
The natural habitat of the species is the North American continent in Canada and the USA.
The average duration of growth is 150-200 years.
Among the species, fir is considered a relatively short tree that grows up to 25 m.
It has a thick, cone-shaped crown.
The color of the smooth bark is pale gray. The needles, characteristic of fir, are mild and dark green on top. On the reverse side of the plate are two thin whitish stripes.
When young cones appear, their color is dark purple, but when ripe it changes to light brown.
The fruits reach such sizes - length - 70 cm, diameter - 3 cm.
Frost resistance is superior to other types of fir.
The following selection forms are used in landscape design: